INTERACTIVE PILLOWCASE

Abstract

An interactive pillowcase comprising a first sheet coupled to a second sheet, the first sheet having a plurality of exterior pockets operable to receive a corresponding plurality of movable characters. A scene is depicted on each of the plurality of exterior pockets corresponding to at least one of the plurality of movable characters.

Claims

1. An interactive pillowcase comprising: a first sheet coupled to a second sheet, the first sheet and the second sheet defining a primary cavity and having a primary opening operable to open to the primary cavity; an interior pocket sheet coupled to the second sheet, the interior pocket sheet and the second sheet defining an interior pocket cavity operable to receive a plurality of movable characters and having an interior pocket opening operable to open to the interior pocket cavity; a closure operable to close the primary cavity; a plurality of exterior pocket sheets coupled to the first sheet, the first sheet and each one of the plurality of exterior pocket sheets defining an exterior pocket cavity operable to receive one of the plurality of movable characters and having an exterior pocket opening operable to open to the exterior pocket cavity; and a scene depicted on the first sheet and the plurality of exterior pocket sheets, the scene including a background and a plurality of scene characters.

2. The interactive pillowcase of claim 1, wherein: the primary cavity is operable to receive a pillow.

3. The interactive pillowcase of claim 1, wherein: the first sheet includes a first sheet perimeter; the second sheet includes a second sheet perimeter; and the first sheet and the second sheet are coupled at the first sheet perimeter and the second sheet perimeter to define an envelope.

4. The interactive pillowcase of claim 1, wherein: the first sheet includes a first sheet interior; the second sheet includes a second sheet interior; and the primary cavity is further defined by the first sheet interior and the second sheet interior.

5. The interactive pillowcase of claim 4, wherein: the interior pocket sheet is coupled to the second sheet at the second sheet interior; and the interior pocket cavity is defined by the interior pocket sheet and the second sheet interior.

6. The interactive pillowcase of claim 5, wherein: the interior pocket sheet includes an interior pocket perimeter and an interior opening perimeter; the interior pocket sheet is coupled to the second sheet interior at the interior pocket perimeter; and the interior opening perimeter and the second sheet interior define the interior pocket opening.

7. The interactive pillowcase of claim 1, wherein: the closure is further operable to close the interior pocket cavity.

8. The interactive pillowcase of claim 1, wherein: the closure includes a fastening device disposed on at least one of the first sheet or the second sheet and operable to secure the first sheet to the second sheet.

9. The interactive pillowcase of claim 1, wherein: the closure includes a flap extending from the first sheet, the flap having a fastening device operable to secure the flap to the second sheet.

10. The interactive pillowcase of claim 1, wherein: each of the plurality of exterior pockets includes an exterior pocket sheet perimeter and an exterior opening perimeter; the first sheet includes a first sheet exterior; each of the plurality of exterior pocket sheets is coupled to the first sheet at the exterior pocket sheet perimeter and the first sheet exterior; and the exterior opening perimeter and the first sheet exterior define the exterior pocket opening.

11. The interactive pillowcase of claim 1, wherein: at least one of the plurality of movable characters matches at least one of the plurality of scene characters; and each of the plurality of exterior pocket sheets includes at least one of the plurality of scene characters.

12. The interactive pillowcase of claim 1, wherein: the background is an environment; and the plurality of movable characters and the plurality of scene characters include living things that would traditionally be found in the environment.

13. The interactive pillowcase of claim 1, wherein: the plurality of movable characters and the plurality of scene characters include inanimate objects.

14. The interactive pillowcase of claim 1, wherein: each one of the plurality of movable characters is different from each of the other plurality of movable characters; and each one of the plurality of scene characters is different from each of the other plurality of scene characters.

15. A method of manufacturing an interactive pillowcase, the method comprising: coupling a first sheet to a second sheet at a first sheet perimeter and a second sheet perimeter to define an envelope having a primary cavity and a primary opening operable to open to the primary cavity; attaching an interior pocket sheet to a second sheet interior, the interior pocket sheet and the second sheet interior defining an interior pocket cavity operable to receive a plurality of movable characters and having an interior pocket opening operable to open to the interior pocket cavity; securing a closure to the first sheet and the second sheet, the closure operable to alternatively: (i) fasten the first sheet to the second sheet close the primary cavity and the interior pocket cavity, or (ii) unfasten the first sheet from the second sheet to open the primary cavity and the interior pocket cavity; and attaching a plurality of exterior pocket sheets to the first sheet, the first sheet and each one of the plurality of exterior pocket sheets defining an exterior pocket cavity operable to receive at least one of the plurality of movable characters and having an exterior pocket opening operable to open to the exterior pocket cavity, the first sheet and the plurality of exterior pocket sheets including a scene having a background and a plurality of scene characters.

16. The method of claim 15, wherein: the primary cavity is operable to receive a pillow.

17. The method of claim 15, wherein: at least one of the plurality of movable characters matches at least one of the plurality of scene characters; and each of the plurality of exterior pocket sheets include at least one of the plurality of scene characters.

18. The method of claim 15, wherein: the background is an environment; and the plurality of movable characters and the plurality of scene characters include living things that would traditionally be found in the environment.

19. The method of claim 15, wherein: the plurality of movable characters and the plurality of scene characters include inanimate objects.

20. The method of claim 15, wherein: each one of the plurality of movable characters is different from each of the other plurality of movable characters; and each one of the plurality of scene characters is different from each of the other plurality of scene characters.

Description

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0025] The foregoing summary, as well as the following detailed description, will be better understood when read in conjunction with the appended drawings. For the purpose of illustration, there is shown in the drawings certain embodiments of the present disclosure. It should be understood, however, that the present inventive concept is not limited to the precise embodiments and features shown. The accompanying drawings, which are incorporated in and constitute a part of this specification, illustrate an embodiment of apparatuses consistent with the present inventive concept and, together with the description, serve to explain advantages and principles consistent with the present inventive concept.

[0026] FIG. 1 is a diagram illustrating a front perspective view of an interactive pillowcase;

[0027] FIG. 2 is a diagram illustrating a front elevation view of the interactive pillowcase, shown in FIG. 1;

[0028] FIG. 3 is a diagram illustrating a rear elevation view of the interactive pillowcase, shown in FIG. 1;

[0029] FIG. 4 is a diagram illustrating a right side view of the interactive pillowcase, shown in FIG. 1;

[0030] FIG. 5 is a diagram illustrating a left side view of the interactive pillowcase, shown in FIG. 1;

[0031] FIG. 6 is a diagram illustrating a top view of the interactive pillowcase, shown in FIG. 1;

[0032] FIG. 7 is a diagram illustrating a bottom view of the interactive pillowcase, shown in FIG. 1;

[0033] FIG. 8 is a diagram illustrating a rear elevation view of the interactive pillowcase, shown in FIG. 1;

[0034] FIG. 9 is a diagram illustrating a rear elevation view of the interactive pillowcase, shown in FIG. 1, with one of a plurality of movable characters; and

[0035] FIG. 10 is a diagram illustrating a front elevation view of the interactive pillowcase, shown in FIG. 1, with one of the plurality of movable characters received partially within one of the plurality of exterior pockets and a scene depicted on the first sheet and the plurality of exterior pocket sheets.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0036] It is to be understood that the present inventive concept is not limited in its application to the details of construction and to the embodiments of the components set forth in the following description or illustrated in the drawings. The figures and written description are provided to teach any person skilled in the art to make and use the inventions for which patent protection is sought. The present inventive concept is capable of other embodiments and of being practiced and carried out in various ways. Persons of skill in the art will appreciate that the development of an actual commercial embodiment incorporating aspects of the present inventive concept will require numerous implementationsspecific decisions to achieve the developer's ultimate goal for the commercial embodiment. While these efforts may be complex and time-consuming, these efforts, nevertheless, would be a routine undertaking for those of skill in the art of having the benefit of this disclosure.

[0037] I. Terminology

[0038] The phraseology and terminology employed herein are for the purpose of description and should not be regarded as limiting. For example, the use of a singular term, such as, a is not intended as limiting of the number of items. Also, the use of relational terms such as, but not limited to, top, bottom, left, right, upper, lower, down, up, and side, are used in the description for clarity in specific reference to the figures and are not intended to limit the scope of the present inventive concept or the appended claims. Further, it should be understood that any one of the features of the present inventive concept may be used separately or in combination with other features. Other systems, methods, features, and advantages of the present inventive concept will be, or become, apparent to one with skill in the art upon examination of the figures and the 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 inventive concept, and be protected by the accompanying claims.

[0039] Further, as the present inventive concept is susceptible to embodiments of many different forms, it is intended that the present disclosure be considered as an example of the principles of the present inventive concept and not intended to limit the present inventive concept to the specific embodiments shown and described. Any one of the features of the present inventive concept may be used separately or in combination with any other feature. References to the terms embodiment, embodiments, and/or the like in the description mean that the feature and/or features being referred to are included in, at least, one aspect of the description. Separate references to the terms embodiment, embodiments, and/or the like in the description do not necessarily refer to the same embodiment and are also not mutually exclusive unless so stated and/or except as will be readily apparent to those skilled in the art from the description. For example, a feature, structure, process, step, action, or the like described in one embodiment may also be included in other embodiments, but is not necessarily included. Thus, the present inventive concept may include a variety of combinations and/or integrations of the embodiments described herein. Additionally, all aspects of the present disclosure, as described herein, are not essential for its practice. Likewise, other systems, methods, features, and advantages of the present inventive concept will be, or become, apparent to one with skill in the art upon examination of the figures and the 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 inventive concept, and be encompassed by the claims.

[0040] Lastly, the terms or and and/or, as used herein, are to be interpreted as inclusive or meaning any one or any combination. Therefore, A, B or C or A, B and/or C mean any of the following: A, B, C; A and B; A and C; B and C; A, B and C. An exception to this definition will occur only when a combination of elements, functions, steps or acts are in some way inherently mutually exclusive.

[0041] II. General Architecture

[0042] FIG. 1 is a front perspective view of an interactive pillowcase 2. The interactive pillowcase 2 includes a first sheet 4 coupled to a second sheet 6. The first sheet 4 and the second sheet 6 may be coupled at their perimeters, i.e., a first sheet perimeter and a second sheet perimeter. The first sheet 4 and the second sheet 6 may be coupled by sewn stiches, though the first sheet 4 and the second sheet 6 can be coupled to each other by adhesion, stapling, or the like, without deviating from the scope of the present inventive concept. It is foreseen that pillowcase 2 can be constructed from a single sheet folded over and coupled to itself at its perimeters without deviating from the scope of the present inventive concept. The first sheet 4 and the second sheet 6 may be cloth made from cotton, bamboo, polyester, linen, flannel, satin, velvet, or the like, and can be any fabric or color without deviating from the scope of the present inventive concept.

[0043] As shown in FIG. 1, the first sheet 4 and the second sheet 6 are rectangular, although it is foreseen that the first sheet 4 and the second sheet 6 can be other shapes such as circular, oval, square, triangular, star-shaped, or the like, without deviating from the scope of the present inventive concept. In FIG. 1, first sheet 4 and second sheet 6 are coupled at their perimeters to define an envelope having a first edge 8, a second edge 10, a third edge 12, and a primary opening 13 which opens to a primary cavity 14, visible in FIG. 9. The interactive pillow 2 further includes a closure operable to close the primary cavity 14. The closure may be disposed on at least one of the first sheet or the second sheet. In FIG. 1, the closure includes a flap 16 coupled to the first sheet 4 and extending over the second sheet 6 to close primary cavity 14. However, the closure may include a fastening device operable to secure the first sheet to the second sheet, including, but not limited to, buttons, a hook and loop fastener, a zipper, snap buttons, or the like without deviating from the scope of the present inventive concept.

[0044] Turning to FIG. 2, the interactive pillow 2 includes a plurality of exterior pocket sheets 28 coupled to the first sheet 4. The plurality of exterior pocket sheets 28 are coupled to an exterior of the first sheet 4 and define a plurality of exterior pockets. The plurality of exterior pockets may include a first exterior pocket 18, a second exterior pocket 20, a third exterior pocket 22, a fourth exterior pocket 24, and a fifth exterior pocket 26. However, it is foreseen that any number of exterior pockets may be coupled to first sheet 4 without deviating from the scope of the present inventive concept.

[0045] Each of the plurality of exterior pocket sheets 28 and the exterior of the first sheet 4, define an exterior pocket cavity 36. Each of the exterior pocket cavities 36 are operable to receive and hold at least one of a plurality of movable characters 38, as seen in FIG. 9, e.g., a stuffed or non-stuffed doll, figurine, or toy, or a combination thereof. The character 38 may include, but is not limited to, a shape, number, letter, living thing (e.g., an animal, person, insect, or plant), or an inanimate object (e.g., a telephone, car, or house), without deviating from the scope of the present inventive concept. It is foreseen that each of the plurality of movable characters 38 can be any shape, size, or color without deviating from the scope of the present inventive concept. Each one of the plurality of movable characters 38 may be different, or some of the plurality of movable characters 38 may be the same and/or similar.

[0046] As shown in FIG. 2, each of the plurality of exterior pockets sheets 28 include an exterior pocket perimeter 30 and an exterior opening perimeter 32. Each of the plurality of exterior pockets is coupled to the first sheet 4 at the exterior pocket perimeter 30, except for the exterior opening perimeter 32, which is not coupled to the first sheet 4.

[0047] Turning to FIG. 4, FIG. 5, and FIG. 6, each of the exterior opening perimeters 32 are spaced apart from the first sheet 4 to define an exterior pocket opening 34. Each of the exterior pocket openings 34 opens into the corresponding exterior pocket cavity 36.

[0048] In the illustrated example, each of the exterior opening perimeters 32 remain open, though it is foreseen that each of the exterior opening perimeters 32 may include a fastener operable to fasten each of the exterior opening perimeters 32 to the first sheet 4, thereby closing the exterior pocket cavities 36, or to unfasten each of the exterior opening perimeters 32 to the first sheet 4, thereby opening the exterior pocket cavities 36. For example, each of the exterior opening perimeters 32 can include a zipper between the perimeter opening 32 and the first sheet 4 to open and close the corresponding pocket openings 34. However, each of the exterior opening perimeters 32 can include a button, a hook and loop fastener, a snap button, or the like, without deviating from the scope of the present inventive concept.

[0049] Turning to FIG. 3, the flap 16 may include a fastening device operable to secure the flap 16 to the second sheet 6. In FIG. 3, the flap 16 includes a plurality of slits, i.e. a first slit 50, a second slit 52, and a third slit 54, operable to receive and engage a corresponding plurality of buttons that are attached to second sheet 6, i.e. a first button 56, a second button 58, and a third button 60, thereby fastening the flap 16 to the second sheet 6. However, it is foreseen that the flap 16 can be tucked into the primary cavity, or removably coupled to the second sheet 6 by a hook and loop fastener, a zipper, snap buttons, or the like, without deviating from the scope of the present inventive concept. The plurality of buttons 56, 58, 60 may be sewn to the second sheet 6, though the plurality of buttons 56, 58, 60 may be adhered, i.e. glued, or fastened, i.e. riveted, to the second sheet 6 without deviating from the scope of the present inventive concept. In the illustrated example, when the flap 16 is opened, the plurality of buttons, i.e., 56, 58, 60, are disengaged from the plurality of slits 50, 52, 54, and the primary cavity 14 is open and accessible. It is foreseen that the flap 16 may be integral to the first sheet 4 or can be a separate piece fastened or sewn to the first sheet 4, without deviating from the scope of the present inventive concept. For example, the second sheet 6 may extend from the second edge 10 to about 6/8th of a length of the first sheet 4.

[0050] In FIG. 6 is a top view of the interactive pillowcase 2. FIG. 7 is a bottom view of the interactive pillowcase 2. In FIG. 6 and FIG. 7, the first button 56, the second button 58, and the third button 60, are engaged through the first slit 50, the second slit 52, and the third slit 54, respectively.

[0051] FIG. 8 is a rear elevation view of the interactive pillowcase 2. In FIG. 8, the flap 16 extends over sheet 6 and the first button 56, the second button 58, and third button 60, are disengaged from the first slit 50, the second slit 52, and the third slit 54, respectively.

[0052] FIG. 9 is a rear elevation view of the interactive pillowcase 2, with one of a plurality of movable characters 38. In FIG. 9, the first button 56, the second button 58, and the third button 60, are disengaged from first slit 50, second slit 52, and third slit 54. Flap 16 is lifted, exposing the primary opening 13 and the primary cavity 14. The primary opening 13 is defined by an uncoupled perimeter edge of the first sheet 4 and an uncoupled perimeter edge of the second sheet 6. The primary cavity 14 is defined by an interior of the envelope including an interior of the first sheet and an interior of the second sheet. The primary cavity 14 is operable to receive a pillow, although the primary cavity 14 can receive any object, i.e., stuffing, foam, blanket, etc., without deviating from the scope of the present inventive concept.

[0053] The interactive pillowcase 2, may further include an interior pocket. As shown in FIG. 9, the interior pocket sheet 62 includes an interior pocket sheet perimeter 64. The interior pocket sheet 62 is coupled to the second sheet 6 at the interior pocket sheet perimeter 64 and an interior of the second sheet 6, such that the interior pocket is disposed within the primary cavity 14. However, it is foreseen that the interior pocket sheet 62 could be coupled to an exterior of the second sheet 6, without deviating from the scope of the present inventive concept. The interior pocket sheet 62 further includes an interior opening perimeter, defined by the uncoupled perimeter edge of pocket sheet 62. The interior opening perimeter is spaced apart from the second sheet 6 to define an interior pocket opening 66, operable to open to an interior pocket cavity 48. The interior pocket sheet 62 and the interior of the second sheet 6 define the interior pocket cavity 48. The interior pocket cavity 48 is sized to store each one of the plurality of movable characters 38, such as octopus 38, shown in FIG. 9, and/or additional items (e.g., a book corresponding to the movable characters). The interior pocket cavity 48 advantageously provides secure storage for each of the movable characters and/or other items, which may be desirable during travel.

[0054] It is foreseen that the interior pocket opening 66 may include a fastener operable to close interior pocket cavity 48, including, but not limited to a button, zipper, hook and loop fastener, or a button snap, to open and close the interior pocket cavity 48 without deviating from the scope of the present inventive concept.

[0055] In FIG. 8 and FIG. 9, the flap 16 is further operable to close interior pocket cavity 48 by engaging the first button 56, the second button 58, and the third button 60, through the first slit 50, the second slit 52, and the third slit 54, respectively. In use, after each character is stored in the interior pocket cavity 48, the flap 16 can be fastened to the second sheet 6, thereby closing the primary cavity 14 and the interior pocket cavity 48 and securing each of the plurality of movable characters 38 in the interior pocket cavity 48. As such, the pillowcase 2 can be transported without losing any of the plurality of movable characters 38 and is easily transportable because only the pillowcase 2 needs to be physically moved or transported, with the plurality of movable characters 38 inside.

[0056] FIG. 10 is a diagram illustrating a front elevation view of the interactive pillowcase, shown in FIG. 1, with one of the plurality of movable characters 38 received partially within the first exterior pocket 18, and a scene 37 depicted on the first sheet 4 and the plurality of exterior pocket sheets 28 of each of the exterior pockets, i.e., the first exterior pocket 18, the second exterior pocket 20, the third exterior pocket 22, the fourth exterior pocket 24, and the fifth exterior pocket 26. However, it is foreseen that the scene 37 may be further depicted on the second sheet 6. The scene 37 includes a background 41 and a plurality of scene characters 39. The scene 37 can be screen-printed, sewn on, or otherwise adhered to the first sheet 4 and each of the plurality of pocket sheets 28.

[0057] In one example, at least one of the plurality of scene characters 39 may be depicted on each of the plurality of exterior pocket sheets 28, as seen in FIG. 10. Each of the plurality of scene characters may be different from each of the other plurality of scene characters, although it is foreseen that one or more of the plurality of scene characters may be the same and/or similar.

[0058] In FIG. 10, the background 41 is an illustration of an underwater environment, depicted on first sheet 4 and the plurality of exterior pockets. The plurality of scene characters 39 include a plurality of animals that could be found in an underwater environment, such as a scene octopus 39a, a scene shark 39b, a scene dolphin 39c, a scene sea turtle 39d, and a scene fish 39e. However, it is foreseen that the background may be any environment, color, or picture. Further, it is foreseen that, like the plurality of movable characters 38, and the plurality of scene characters 39 may include any identifiable thing, such as a shape, number, letter, living thing (e.g., an animal, person, insect, or plant), or an inanimate object (e.g., a telephone, car, or house). In FIG. 10, the scene octopus 39a is depicted on the pocket sheet 28 of the first exterior pocket 18, the scene shark 39b is depicted on the pocket sheet 28 of the second exterior pocket 20, the scene dolphin 39c is depicted on the pocket sheet 28 of the third exterior pocket 22, the scene sea turtle 39d is depicted on the pocket sheet 28 of the fourth exterior pocket 24, and the scene fish 39e is depicted on the pocket sheet 28 of the fifth exterior pocket 26.

[0059] Each one of the plurality of movable characters 38 match at least one of the plurality of scene characters 39. The plurality of movable characters may include a plurality of animals that match the plurality of scene characters 39, i.e., a movable octopus 38a, a movable shark 38b, a movable dolphin 38c, a movable sea turtle 38d, and a movable fish 38e. Thus, each of the plurality of movable characters may be matched to one of the plurality of exterior pocket sheets 28 and the character may be received within the corresponding exterior pocket cavity 36. In FIG. 10, the movable octopus 38a is partially received within the exterior pocket cavity 36a of the first exterior pocket 18, which includes the matching scene animal, i.e., the scene octopus 39a, depicted on the pocket sheet 28. In the illustrated example, each one of the plurality of movable characters 38 may be stored in the exterior pocket cavity 36 of the exterior pocket having the exterior pocket sheet 28 including the matching scene character 39. Such example advantageously develops a child's visual matching skills and creativity skills, as the child may match each of the plurality of movable characters 38 to each exterior pocket based on the characteristics of each of the plurality of scene characters 39 depicted on each of the plurality of pocket sheets 28.

[0060] The scene 37 also provides an opportunity for the child to develop motor skills in addition to matching skills and creativity skills. The scene 37 may encourage the child to place a character in the scene 37 by physically positioning the character in the corresponding exterior pocket cavity 36, thereby providing an opportunity for the child to use his or her motor skills and hand-eye coordination to properly place the character in the corresponding pocket. The scene 37 may also encourage the child to think or describe (e.g., verbally or written) why the character is in the scene, thereby providing an opportunity for the child to use his or her creativity and/or communicate such creativity.

[0061] Accordingly, the present inventive concept provides an interactive pillowcase that provides the child opportunities to develop multiple skills in a single interactive device that is also easily transportable and useable as a pillow.

[0062] One of skill in the art will recognize that the described examples are not limited to any particular size. Further, one of skill in the art will recognize that the components of the pillowcase 2 are not limited to any type of material, size, or dimension.

[0063] It will be appreciated by those skilled in the art that changes could be made to the embodiments described above without departing from the broad inventive concept thereof. It is understood, therefore, that the present invention disclosed herein is not limited to the particular embodiments disclosed, and is intended to cover modifications within the spirit and scope of the present invention.