MULTI-USE TRAVEL TOWEL

Description

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

This application claims priority to U.S. Provisional Application Serial No. 63/715,410, filed November 1, 2024 and entitled “MULTI-USE TRAVEL TOWEL”, the complete disclosure of which, in its entirety, is herein incorporated by reference.

TECHNICAL FIELD

The present disclosure relates to a towel, and more particularly, to an absorbent towel configured for a variety of different purposes.

BACKGROUND

Towels are commonly used in many different locations such as a pool, beach, lake, hotel, wilderness, or the like. In certain locations, it may be cumbersome to travel with a towel due to limited storage, carrying capacity, the size of the towel, or the like. For example, while hiking a person may not wish to store a large towel in their backpack (especially when wet). In addition, a person may not wish to travel with a towel that can only be used to absorb liquids.

SUMMARY

Aspects of the present disclosure are directed to a cloth or textile that may be used as a towel. In an embodiment, a towel includes a body having a first surface opposite a second surface. A plurality of loops are disposed along at least one side of the body and in each corner of the body. A pocket defines a compartment in a first configuration. The pocket is configured for storing the body in a second configuration by turning the pocket inside-out such that the body is folded into the pocket. The pocket includes a closure mechanism configured to close and open the pocket.

In an embodiment, a towel includes a body having a rectangular shape and a first surface opposite a second surface. The rectangular shape includes a first side, a second side opposite the first side, and a third side extending between the first side and the second side. The body includes chamois cloth. A plurality of loops are disposed along the first side, the second side, and in each corner of the body. A pocket is positioned in a corner of the body defined by the second side and the third side. The pocket is attached to the first surface along the second side and the third side, and between the second side and the first side. The pocket defines a compartment in a first configuration. The pocket is configured for storing the body in a second configuration by turning the pocket inside-out such that the body is folded into the pocket. The pocket includes a closure mechanism configured to close and open the pocket in the first configuration and the second configuration.

In an embodiment, a towel includes a body having a rectangular shape and a first surface opposite a second surface. The rectangular shape includes a first side, a second side opposite the first side, and a third side extending between the first side and the second side. The body includes chamois cloth. Regarding the plurality of loops, at least three of the plurality of loops are arranged in a row for forming a webbing of loops. The at least three of the plurality of loops are disposed adjacent to the first side and spaced apart from at least one corner. A pocket is positioned in a corner of the body defined by the second side and the third side. The pocket is attached to the first surface along the second side and the third side, and between the second side and the third side. The pocket includes an exterior surface and an interior surface that defines a compartment for storing objects in a first configuration. The pocket is configured for storing the body in a second configuration by turning the pocket inside-out such that the body is folded into the pocket and the interior surface is exposed to an environment. The pocket includes a closure mechanism located between the first side and the second side and configured to close and open the pocket in the first configuration and the second configuration. At least one of the plurality of loops extends from the interior surface of the pocket adjacent to the closure mechanism.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

In the following description, details are set forth to provide an understanding of the present disclosure. In some instances, certain systems, structures and techniques have not been described or shown in detail in order not to obscure the disclosure.

FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a towel according to an embodiment of the present disclosure;

FIG. 2 depicts the towel being secured to the ground by stakes;

FIG. 3 depicts the towel being fully or partially suspended;

FIG. 4 depicts the towel being worn by a user;

FIG. 5 depicts the towel including a plurality of loops forming a webbing, according to an embodiment of the present disclosure;

FIG. 6 depicts the towel being partially folded to create a hammock that can be suspended;

FIG. 7 depicts the towel being folded inward to create a storage sack that can be suspended;

FIG. 8 depicts the towel being stored within a pocket, according to an embodiment of the present disclosure;

FIG. 9 depicts the towel shown in FIG. 8 attached to a backpack and

FIG. 10 depicts the towel shown in FIG. 8 attached to strap.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

Embodiments of the present disclosure are described herein. It is to be understood, however, that the disclosed embodiments are merely examples and other embodiments can take various and alternative forms. The figures are not necessarily to scale; some features could be exaggerated or minimized to show details of particular components. Therefore, specific structural and functional details disclosed herein are not to be interpreted as limiting, but merely as a representative bases for teaching one skilled in the art to variously employ the embodiments. As those of ordinary skill in the art will understand, various features illustrated and described with reference to any one of the figures can be combined with features illustrated in one or more other figures to produce embodiments that are not explicitly illustrated or described. The combinations of features illustrated provide representative embodiments for typical application. Various combinations and modifications of the features consistent with the teachings of this disclosure, however, could be desired for particular applications or implementations. “A”, “an”, and “the” as used herein refers to both singular and plural referents unless the context clearly dictates otherwise.

According to the present disclosure, FIGS. 1–10 depict a cloth, textile, or towel 10 capable of being used for a variety of purposes and arrangements. The towel 10 may be configured to absorb liquids (e.g., water) and be quick-drying. The towel 10 may be composed of cotton, polymers, leathers, or the like, or a synthetic version thereof. In some embodiments, the towel 10 may be composed of chamois cloth.

Referring to FIG. 1, the towel 10 includes a body 12 with a first surface 14 and a second surface 16 opposite the first surface 14. The shape of the towel 10 and/or body 12 may be defined by a perimeter having sides 18 and corners 20. The shape may be rectangular, circular, polygonal, or the like, or combination or sub-combination thereof. For example, the body 12 may have a rectangular shape with four sides 18 (two long sides 18 defining a length and two short sides 18 defining a width) and four corners 20. The body 12 may have a length and/or width of 1–12 feet.

In an embodiment, the towel 10 includes a plurality of loops 22 disposed on or adjacent to the perimeter, the sides 18, the corners 20, or the like. The plurality of loops 22 may be disposed along the perimeter. For example, the plurality of loops 22 may be disposed in or adjacent to at least one corner 20 and/or along at least one side 18. The plurality of loops 22 disposed on the at least one side 18 may be spaced apart from at least one of the plurality of loops 22 disposed in the at least one corner 20. In some embodiments, the plurality of loops 22 may include at least two of the plurality of loops 22 disposed on a common side 18. The at least two of the plurality of loops 22 may be uniformly or non-uniformly distributed on the common side 18 (e.g., the at least two of the plurality of loops 22 may be evenly spaced apart on the common side 18 relative to a length defined by the common side 18 or may be spaced in closer proximity to each other and/or the corners 20 connected by the common side 18). In embodiments, the towel 10 may have a rectangular shape wherein the plurality of loops 22 are disposed in each corner 20 and at least two of the plurality of loops 22 are disposed on a first side 18a and a second side 18b opposite the first side 18a.

The plurality of loops 22 may extend outward and away from the perimeter, the first surface 14, and/or the second surface 16. The plurality of loops 22 may be configured for receiving a fastener, clip, hook, rope, stake, finger, or the like. For example, the plurality of loops 22 may be sized such that a stake 24a, a rope 24b (i.e., cord, string, tether, or the like), a hook/clip 24c, a fastener, a finger, or the like, can be inserted through or connected to the plurality of loops 22. In this way, the plurality of loops 22 may be used for a multitude of purposes. The plurality of loops 22 may be sized or shaped identically or differently (e.g., at least one of the plurality of loops 22 may be larger or smaller, more or less circular, or the like, relative to the other of the plurality of loops 22) and may be composed of the same or different materials.

As shown in FIG. 2, the towel 10 may be laid on a surface 26 (e.g., a natural ground surface composed of grass, dirt, sand, or the like) and stakes 24a may be inserted through the plurality of loops 22 for securing the towel 10 to the surface 26. As shown in FIG. 3, the towel 10 may be suspended to create a shelter by connecting rope 24b to the plurality of loops 22 and an elevated structure 28 (e.g., a tree or a post). In some embodiments, a combination of stakes 24a and rope 24b, or the like, may be used to create the shelter. For example, the plurality of loops 22 disposed in two corners 20 may be secured to the surface 26 by the stakes 24a and the plurality of loops 22 disposed in two other corners 20 may be secured to an elevated structure 28 by the rope 24b. Referring to FIGS. 4 and 5, the towel 10 may be worn by a user. As shown in FIG. 4, the towel 10 may be worn by draping the towel over the user’s shoulders and using a clip 24c to connect two of the plurality of loops 22 together and secure the towel 10 to the user such that the towel 10 may not fall off or be blown off by wind.

Referring to FIG. 5, in an embodiment the plurality of loops 22’ may be configured to form a system or series of loops. In other words, the plurality of loops 22’ may be arranged in close proximity to one another so as to form a row and create a webbing of loops. The plurality of loops 22’ may be stitched together to form the row the webbing of loops. The webbing of loops may be used for modular attachment to the plurality of loops 22’ and may include systems or equipment such as modular lightweight load-carrying equipment (MOLLE) and/or Pouch Attachment Ladder System (PALS). The plurality of loops 22’ may include at least two loops (e.g., the plurality of loops 22’ may include 2–5, 5–10, 10–30 loops, or the like, or a combination or sub-combination thereof).

The plurality of loops 22’ may be disposed on the first surface 14 or the second surface 16. The plurality of loops 22’ may be disposed adjacent to or spaced apart from at least one side 18 and/or at least one corner 20. For example, the plurality of loops 22’ may be located proximate to the at least one side 18 and spaced apart from the at least one corner 20 such that the plurality of loops 22’ are centrally or non-centrally located relative to the at least one side 18. As shown in FIG. 5, the towel 10 may be worn by the user by wrapping the towel 10 around the user’s waist and using a clip 24c to connect at least one of the plurality of loops 22 to at least one of the plurality of loops 22’. The at least one of the plurality of loops 22 may be located in a corner 20 and on a side 18 common to the plurality of loops 22’. The plurality of loops 22’ allow for the towel 10 to be adjusted and secured to the user based on the user’s size, clothing, preference, or the like.

Referring to FIGS. 6 and 7, the towel 10 may be folded such that the clip 24c can be connected to at least two of the plurality of loops 22, 22’. For example, as shown in FIG. 6, the towel 10 may be folded such that the plurality of loops 22 disposed in the corners 20 at opposite ends of the towel 10 are in close proximity to each other and are connected to each other by clips 24c. In other words, the towel 10 may be folded along a longitudinal or a transverse axis to position a first set of the plurality of loops 22a disposed in a first set of corners 20a adjacent a second set of the plurality of loops 22b disposed in a second set of corners 20b. The clips 24c may then be connected to rope 24b for suspending the towel 10 from an elevated structure 28 to create a hammock. As shown in FIG. 7, the towel 10 may be folded inward such that the plurality of loops 22 disposed in the corners 20 are in close proximity to each other and may be connected by a clip 24c. For example, the towel 10 may be folded to create a storage hammock and suspended to prevent unwanted interaction between items stored in the storage hammock and the ground or wildlife.

Referring to FIGS. 1 and 8-10, in an embodiment, the towel 10 may include a pocket 30 located in a corner 20 and on the first surface 14 (or the second surface 16). The pocket 30 may be attached to the first surface 14 along at least two sides 18 extending from the corner 20 and between the at least two sides 18. The pocket 30 may be attached to the first surface 14 by sewing, stitching, gluing, stapling, or the like. In some embodiments, the pocket 30 is integrally formed with the body 12. The pocket 30 may be composed of the same or a different material than the body 12. The pocket 30 may be shaped, sized, or defined by the at least two sides 18 and the corner 20.

The pocket 30 may include an exterior surface 32 and an interior surface 34. The interior surface 34 defines a compartment 36 for storing or containing objects (e.g., a wallet, keys, phone, flashlight, sunglasses, lotion, or the like). In some embodiments, the interior surface 34 and the first surface 14 define the compartment.

The pocket 30 may include a closure mechanism 38 configured to close and open the pocket 30 and/or the compartment 36. The closure mechanism 38 may be spaced apart from the corner 20 and extend between the at least two sides 18. The closure mechanism 38 may include a first part 40 and a second part 42. The first part 40 may be located on the pocket 30 and a second part 42 may be located on the first surface 14 or a portion of the pocket 30 extending between the at least two sides 18 (e.g., a flap or segment extending between the at least two sides 18). In some embodiments, the closure mechanism 38 may be a zipper wherein the first part 40 and the second part 42 may be zipper teeth. In some embodiments, the closure mechanism 38 includes fasteners (e.g., snap fasteners, or the like), draw strings, clips, magnetic elements, or the like, or a combination or sub-combination thereof.

In some embodiments, the pocket 30 may have a triangular shape wherein portions of the pocket 30 extending along the at least two sides 18 are the legs of the triangular shape and the closure mechanism 38 is the hypotenuse of the triangular shape. For example, the pocket 30 may be attached to the first surface 14 along the second side 18b, a third side 18c, and from the second side 18b to the third side 18c, wherein the third side 18c extends from the first side 18a to the second side 18b.

The pocket 30 may be configured for storing the body 12. For example, the pocket 30 may be reversed or turned inside-out such that the body 12 may be folded into the pocket 30 and in contact with the exterior surface 32. In other words, the pocket 30 may include a first configuration and a second configuration, wherein in the first configuration the body 12 may be exposed to an environment and in the second configuration the body 12 is contained within the pocket 30. In the first configuration, the exterior surface 32 may be exposed to the environment and the compartment 36 may be used to store items. In the second configuration the interior surface 34 may be exposed to the environment and the closure mechanism 38 may be configured to open for removing the body 12 from the pocket 30 and to close for sealing the body 12 within the pocket 30.

Referring to FIGS. 8-10, in an embodiment at least one of the plurality of loops 22 is located on one of the at least one sides 18 adjacent to the closure mechanism 38. In some embodiments, at least one of the plurality of loops 22 is located within the compartment 36 and extends from the interior surface 34 such that the at least one of the plurality of loops 22 is exposed to the environment when the pocket 30 is in the second configuration. The at least one of the plurality of loops 22 may be connected to a clip 24c for securing the towel 10 to a backpack, a strap, or other item being worn by the user for convenient transportation or carrying of the towel 10.

It should be appreciated that the plurality of loops 22, 22’ may be used interchangeably for the various functions and purposes of the present disclosure and shown in FIGS. 2-10.

While exemplary embodiments are described above, it is not intended that these embodiments describe all possible forms encompassed by the claims. The words used in the specification are words of description rather than limitation, and it is understood that various changes can be made without departing from the gist and scope of the disclosure. As previously described, the features of various embodiments can be combined to form further embodiments of the invention that may not be explicitly described or illustrated. While various embodiments could have been described as providing advantages or being preferred over other embodiments or prior art implementations with respect to one or more desired characteristics, those of ordinary skill in the art recognize that one or more features or characteristics can be compromised to achieve desired overall system attributes, which depend on the specific application and implementation. These attributes can include, but are not limited to cost, strength, durability, life cycle cost, marketability, appearance, packaging, size, serviceability, weight, manufacturability, ease of assembly, etc. As such, to the extent that any embodiments are described as less desirable than other embodiments or prior art implementations with respect to one or more characteristics, these embodiments are not outside the scope of the disclosure and can be desirable for particular applications.