Combined detachable hood, embedded eye mask and travel pillow

Abstract

A travel pillow device comprising a pillow portion P having a concave shape to be fitted on a neck of a user. The device further comprises a hood portion H to be fitted on a head of the user. The hood

Description

TECHNICAL FIELD OF THE INVENTION

[0001] The invention relates to the field of head rests such as travel pillow devices used to support the neck and head of a user when travelling in a sitting position. BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

[0002] Conventional travel pillows include a cushion having a concave shape (like a U-shape form for example) to be fitted on the neck of the user, and have the head rest on the cushion. Then the user can rest and sleep using the travel pillow.

[0003] For users travelling in a floodlit environment, the light is uncomfortable for user willing to rest and sleep. Moreover, the hair of the user may be rubbed against the chair or the pillow causing the hairstyle to be dishevelled as well as the hair to be damaged.

[0004] It is therefore an objective of the invention to provide a travel pillow enabling to avoid the discomfort of a floodlit environment when need, and to maintain the hair and hairstyle of the user. SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

[0005] In order to meet this objective, the invention concerns a travel pillow device comprising: - a pillow portion having a concave shape configured to be fitted on a neck of a user; - a hood portion configured to be fitted on a head of the user, wherein the hood portion is connected to the pillow portion; and - an eye mask portion configured to be placed on eyes of the user to mask the eyes of the user and to possibly be moved above the eyes of the user, wherein the eye mask portion is embedded within the hood portion, and wherein the hood portion is detachably attached to the pillow portion by means of at least one attachment means.

[0006] Advantageously, the hood portion of the pillow enables to hold and maintain the hairstyle of the user, and the eye mask portion enables to cover the eyes of the user in a floodlit environment.

[0007] Furthermore, this enables to use the hood and eye mask portions when required or remove and keep them to use the pillow portion alone.

[0008] According to an embodiment, the at least one attachment means comprises a pillow housing sleeve at one section of the hood portion, detachably housing the pillow portion.

[0009] This enables to adapt the hood and eye mask portions to a standard travel pillow and to attach rapidly the pillow portion to the hood and eye mask portions.

[0010] According to an embodiment, the at least one attachment means comprises at least one attachment device.

[0011] This enables to have a strong attachment at specific points or lines of the connection between the pillow portion and the hood and eye mask portions.

[0012] According to an embodiment, the at least one attachment device comprises first snap buttons.

[0013] This enables to simplify the placing of attachment means and to simplify the attachment or detachment the hood portion.

[0014] According to an embodiment, the at least one attachment device comprises another type of button, a zipper, a hook-and-loop fastener, a brooch, a buckle, a clasp, an eyelet, a fabric tie, a frog closure, a grommet, a hook and eye, a lace, a loop fastener, a magnet, a pin, a toggle, or a combination of at least two of these attachment devices.

[0015] This enables to provide alternative attachment means.

[0016] According to an embodiment, the hood portion and / or the eye mask portion is satin lined.

[0017] Satin is a very effective material to maintain the hair and hairstyle of users.

[0018] According to an embodiment, the pillow portion is satin lined.

[0019] This enables to avoid the rubbing of the hair on the pillow portion, and the protection of the hair.

[0020] According to an embodiment, the hood portion is in one piece with the eye mask portion, and the eye mask portion comprises an extra padding.

[0021] This enables to increase the masking of the eye mask portion with respect to the hood portion.

[0022] According to an embodiment, the travel pillow device further comprises at least one adjustment device configured to adjust the size of the hood portion and / or of the eye mask portion.

[0023] This enables to adjust the size of the hood portion and / or of the eye mask portion to the head of the user.

[0024] According to an embodiment, the at least one adjustment device comprises second snap buttons.

[0025] This enables to simplify the adjustment of the size, and to have a quick adjustment.

[0026] According to an embodiment, the second snap buttons are spaced apart horizontally to adjust the size of the hood portion horizontally.

[0027] This enables to adjust easily the size horizontally.

[0028] According to an embodiment, the at least one adjustment device comprises third snap buttons. Preferably, the third snap buttons are spaced apart vertically to adjust the size of the hood portion vertically.

[0029] This enables to adjust easily the size vertically.

[0030] According to an embodiment, the at least one adjustment device comprises at least one draw string or at least one elastic string.

[0031] This enables to simplify the adjustment of size by pulling and tying the draw string.

[0032] According to an embodiment, the hood portion is in one piece with the eye mask portion, defining an attachment edge connected to the pillow portion, and an adjustment edge opposite to the attachment edge, and wherein the at least one draw string or elastic string is placed along the adjustment edge.

[0033] This enables to place the drawing string below the eyes, and possibly moved above the eyes, and maintain the adjustment edge at those places.

[0034] According to an embodiment, the at least one draw string is configured to be tied under a chin of the user.

[0035] This enables to secure the hood portion and the eye mask portion on the head of the user.

[0036] Another aspect of the invention concerns a hood device comprising: - a hood portion configured to be fitted on a head of a user; and - an eye mask portion configured to be placed on eyes of the user to mask the eyes of the user and to possibly be moved above the eyes of the user, wherein the eye mask portion is embedded within the hood portion, and wherein the hood portion is detachably attachable to a travel pillow by means of at least one attachment means.

[0037] This enables to use the invention when the user already has a travel pillow to be attached to the hood device.

[0038] According to an embodiment, the at least one attachment means comprises a pillow housing sleeve at one section of the hood portion, configured to detachably house the travel pillow.

[0039] This enables to attach rapidly the travel pillow to the hood device.

[0040] The above embodiments may be combined in any technically possible combination.

[0041] The invention further relates to a resting method comprising using a travel pillow device comprising: - a pillow portion having a concave shape; - a hood portion connected to the pillow portion, preferably detachably attached to the pillow portion; and - an eye mask portion configured to mask eyes of the user, wherein the eye mask portion is embedded within the hood portion, wherein the resting method comprises steps for - using the pillow portion and / or the hood and eye mask portions together or separately; - when using the pillow portion, having the pillow portion fitted on a neck of a user; - when using the hood and eye mask portions, having the hood portion fitted on a head of the user, and having the eye mask portion mask the eyes of the user and possibly be moved above the eyes of the user.

[0042] Another embodiment concerns a resting method comprising using a hood device comprising: - a hood portion configured to be fitted on a head of a user; and - an eye mask portion configured to be placed on eyes of the user to mask the eyes of the user and to possibly be moved above the eyes of the user, the eye mask portion being embedded within the hood portion, and the hood portion being detachably attachable to a travel pillow by means of at least one attachment means, wherein the resting method comprises steps for: - using the hood device with or without a travel pillow; - when using the hood device, having the hood portion fitted on a head of the user, and having the eye mask portion mask the eyes of the user and possibly be moved above the eyes of the user; - when using the travel pillow, having the travel pillow attached to the hood device and fitted on a neck of a user. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0043] The invention will be further detailed on the basis of the described embodiments, in view of the appended drawings among which:

[0044] Figure 1 is a space view of the travel pillow device according to a first aspect of the invention on the head and neck of a user;

[0045] Figure 2 is a back view of the travel pillow device of figure 1; and

[0046] Figure 3 is a top view of the travel pillow device of figure 1 with the hood and eye mask portions placed over the pillow portion; and

[0047] Figure 4 is a schematic space view of the hood device according to a second aspect of the invention and a corresponding travel pillow to be inserted in a pillow housing of the hood device. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0048] The travel pillow device of the invention comprises a pillow portion P that is in the shape of conventional travel pillows. The pillow portion P has a concave shape (or U-shape form) configured to be fitted on a neck of a user.

[0049] The pillow portion P may comprise slipcover equipped with a zip Z more visible on figure 2.

[0050] The travel pillow device further comprises a hood portion H configured to be fitted on a head of the user.

[0051] According to the invention, the hood portion H is connected to the pillow portion P. In particular, the hood portion H is detachably attached to the pillow portion P by means of at least one attachment device A. The attachment means are here a set of first snap buttons arranged along the concave (inward) part of the pillow portion P and on a corresponding attachment edge of the hood portion. The attachment means could be arranged on the outward convex part of the pillow portion even though such a configuration is not preferred as it involves more hood material.

[0052] Alternatively of in combination, the hood portion and the pillow portion may be attached by means of at least one other attachment device including but not limited to another type of button, a zipper, a hook-and-loop fastener, a brooch, a buckle, a clasp, an eyelet, a fabric tie, a frog closure, a grommet, a hook and eye, a lace, a loop fastener, a magnet, a pin, a toggle, or a combination of at least two of the listed attachment devices.

[0053] The travel pillow device further comprises an eye mask portion E. The eye mask portion E is configured to be placed on eyes of the user to mask the eyes of the user or to be pushed above in order to be placed above the eyes of the user.

[0054] According to another aspect of the invention, the eye mask portion E is embedded within the hood portion H, preferably in one piece with the hood portion H.

[0055] In the preferred embodiment, the eye mask portion E comprises an extra padding C best shown in figure 1.

[0056] Regarding the material of the device, the hood portion H and the eye mask portion E are preferably satin lined or in satin. More preferably, the pillow portion P is also satin lined or in satin.

[0057] Concerning now the adjustment of the device to the size of the head of the user, the travel pillow device further comprises three different adjustment devices S1, S2, S3 configured to adjust the size of the hood portion H and of the eye mask portion E to the size of the head of the user. In particular, second snap buttons S1 are provided vertically along the back side of the hood portion H. The male and female buttons are spaced apart horizontally such that attaching them enables to adjust the size horizontally. These second snap buttons S1 are best shown in figure 3. Another (third) set of snap button S2 is provided spaced apart vertically such that attaching them enables to adjust the size vertically. These third snap buttons S2 are best shown in figure 2.

[0058] Additionally, a draw string S3 is provided as an adjustment device. The hood portion H being in one piece with the eye mask portion E, defines an attachment edge connected to the pillow portion P, and an adjustment edge placed opposite to the attachment edge. The draw string S3 is placed at the adjustment edge, here within the material of the eye mask portion E.

[0059] In the preferred embodiment, the draw string is configured to be tied under the chin of the user in use.

[0060] An elastic string or strip may be used in place of a draw string. Then, the string may be configured to be placed under the chin of the user.

[0061] The invention also concerns the corresponding resting method comprising steps using the elements of the travel pillow device detailed above.

[0062] The pillow portion P may be used alone or attached to the hood and eye mask portions H, E.

[0063] The method comprises a step for using the pillow portion P and / or the hood and eye mask portions H, E together or separately.

[0064] The method further comprises a step for having the pillow portion P fitted on a neck of a user, when using the pillow portion P.

[0065] The method further comprises a step for having the hood portion H fitted on a head of the user, and having the eye mask portion E mask the eyes of the user or placed above the eyes of the user, when using the hood and eye mask portions.

[0066] In another embodiment shown in figure 4, is a hood device H1 that may be 5 provided separately from any travel pillow P1 or pillow portion. In this embodiment, the attachment means is a pillow housing PH having a shape corresponding to the size of a travel pillow P1 in order to house the travel pillow P1. Different sizes of hood devices for corresponding standard travel pillows may be provided, for example an adult size and a children size. io

[0067] This embodiment enables to provide a slip cover that may be used by a user that already has a travel pillow P1.

[0068] In the context of the invention, one or more supplementary attachment device may be provided on the pillow housing PH to secure the travel pillow P1 in the pillow housing PH. Such a supplementary attachment device may comprise a 15 button, a zipper, a hook-and-loop fastener, a brooch, a buckle, a clasp, an eyelet, a fabric tie, a frog closure, a grommet, a hook and eye, a lace, a loop fastener, a magnet, a pin, a toggle, or a combination of at least two of these attachment devices.

Claims

1. A travel pillow device comprising:- a pillow portion having a concave shape configured to be fitted on a neck of a user;- a hood portion configured to be fitted on a head of the user, wherein the hood portion is connected to the pillow portion; and- an eye mask portion configured to be placed on eyes of the user to mask the eyes of the user and to possibly be moved above the eyes of the user, wherein the eye mask portion is embedded within the hood portion, and wherein the hood portion is detachably attached to the pillow portion by means of at least one attachment means.

2. The travel pillow device according to the preceding claim, the at least one attachment means comprises a pillow housing sleeve at one section of the hood portion, detachably housing the pillow portion.

3. The travel pillow device according to any of the preceding claims, wherein the at least one attachment means comprises at least one attachment device.

4. The travel pillow device according to the preceding claim, wherein the at least one attachment device comprises first snap buttons.

5. The travel pillow device according to claim 3 or 4, wherein the at least one attachment device comprises another type of button, a zipper, a hook-and-loop fastener, a brooch, a buckle, a clasp, an eyelet, a fabric tie, a frog closure, a grommet, a hook and eye, a lace, a loop fastener, a magnet, a pin, a toggle, or a combination of at least two of these attachment devices.

6. The travel pillow device according to any of the preceding claims, wherein the hood portion and / or the eye mask portion is satin lined.

7. The travel pillow device according to any of the preceding claims, wherein the pillow portion is satin lined.

8. The travel pillow device according to any of the preceding claims, wherein the hood portion is in one piece with the eye mask portion, and the eye mask portion comprises an extra padding.

9. The travel pillow device according to any of the preceding claims, further comprising at least one adjustment device configured to adjust the size of the hood portion and / or of the eye mask portion.

10. The travel pillow device according to the preceding claim, wherein the at least one adjustment device comprises second snap buttons.11 .The travel pillow device according to the preceding claim, wherein the second snap buttons are spaced apart horizontally to adjust the size of the hood portion horizontally.

12. The travel pillow device according to any of claims 8 to 10, wherein the at least one adjustment device comprises third snap buttons.

13. The travel pillow device according to the preceding claim, wherein the third snap buttons are spaced apart vertically to adjust the size of the hood portion vertically.

14. The travel pillow device according to any of claims 8 to 12, wherein the at least one adjustment device comprises at least one draw string or at least one elastic string.

15. The travel pillow device according to the preceding claim, wherein the hood portion is in one piece with the eye mask portion, defining an attachment edge connected to the pillow portion, and an adjustment edge opposite to the attachment edge, and wherein the at least one draw string or elastic string is placed along the adjustment edge.

16. The travel pillow device according to any of the preceding claims, wherein the at least one draw string is configured to be tied under a chin of the user.

17. A hood device comprising:- a hood portion configured to be fitted on a head of a user; and- an eye mask portion configured to be placed on eyes of the user to mask the eyes of the user and to possibly be moved above the eyes of the user, wherein the eye mask portion is embedded within the hood portion, and wherein the hood portion is detachably attachable to a travel pillow by means of at least one attachment means.

18. The hood device according to the preceding claim, wherein the at least one attachment means comprises a pillow housing sleeve at one section of the hood portion, configured to detachably house the travel pillow.

19. A resting method comprising using a travel pillow device comprising: - a pillow portion having a concave shape;- a hood portion connected to the pillow portion, preferably detachably attached to the pillow portion; and- an eye mask portion configured to mask eyes of the user, wherein the eye mask portion is embedded within the hood portion, wherein the resting method comprises steps for- using the pillow portion and / or the hood and eye mask portions together or separately;- when using the pillow portion, having the pillow portion fitted on a neck of a user;- when using the hood and eye mask portions, having the hood portion fitted on a head of the user, and having the eye mask portion mask the eyes of the user and possibly be moved above the eyes of the user.

20. A resting method comprising using a hood device comprising:- a hood portion configured to be fitted on a head of a user; and- an eye mask portion configured to be placed on eyes of the user to mask the eyes of the user and to possibly be moved above the eyes of the user, the eye mask portion being embedded within the hood portion, and the hood portion being detachably attachable to a travel pillow by means of at least one attachment means,wherein the resting method comprises steps for:- using the hood device with or without a travel pillow;- when using the hood device, having the hood portion fitted on a head of the user, and having the eye mask portion mask the eyes of the user and possibly be moved above the eyes of the user;- when using the travel pillow, having the travel pillow attached to the hood device and fitted on a neck of a user, i I

Images