An improved towel

Abstract

 A towel (1) comprises a panel (3) of material having a first pair of opposing edges (4) and a second pair of opposing edges (5), the first pair of edges (4) being substantially orthogonal to the second pair of edges (5), wherein the first pair of edges (4) comprises a joining means (6) adapted to form an open-ended (5a, 5b) flexible enclosure (1) from the panel (3) and an adjustment means (7) is provided in relation to at least one of the second pair of edges (5) to reduce one of said open ends (5a, 5b). A user (2) may first join the first pair of edges (4) using the joining means (6), by engaging the zip and then reduce the adjustment means (7) as required at the open end (5a) by drawing a drawstring (8) The resultant enclosure (1sits on the user's (2) shoulders and drapes over the rest of the user's body. The drawstring (8) and toggles (8a) may be re-adjusted as required for comfort.

Description

BACKGROUND

Technical Field

[0001] The present invention relates generally to the field of towels. More particularly, but not exclusively, the present invention concerns a beach towel that can be used both as a conventional towel and as a changing enclosure.

Description of the Related Art

[0002] When visiting a beach or swimming pool, a member of the public wishing to take full advantage of the beach or pool often needs some privacy on arrival and before departure, to remove or change clothing. Changing rooms and toilets are not always provided on public beaches or adjacent a public swimming pool. Where enclosures for changing are made available they are typically unsatisfactory and in high demand.

[0003] Therefore, it is an object of the present invention to address one or more of the problems as discussed herein and in particular to provide a solution that allows a user to quickly and conveniently change clothes.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

[0004] According to a first aspect of the present invention there is provided a towel comprising a panel of material having a first and a second pair of opposing edges, the first pair of edges being substantially orthogonal to the second pair of edges, wherein the first pair of edges comprises a joining means adapted to join said pair of edges to form an open-ended enclosure and an adjustment means is provided in relation to at least one of the second pair of edges to reduce the opening of one of said open ends of said open-ended enclosure.

[0005] With this arrangement, the towel can provide an individual enclosure for a user by forming a closed screen around a major part of a body of the user using the joining means of the first pair of edges. Additionally, the panel can be dimensioned between the pair of first edges to provide a good level of unrestricted movement around the body, whilst being prevented from slipping downwardly by adjustment of the opening of one of the open ends to a level where it is smaller than the user's shoulders and can rest comfortably thereupon.

[0006] Preferably, the towel is substantially rectangular, but may be provided with at least one pair of truncated corners. In the latter respect, each of the pair of one pair of truncated corners is preferably disposed at opposite ends of one of the second pair of edges. In this respect, the joining means may extend along an angled minor edge that forms the truncated corners. The truncation may therefore result in the gradual shortening of the width of the panel at one end, such that as the two minor edges are drawn together by engagement of the joining means therealong, the opening at the respective open end is reduced to form a 'cape' around a user's shoulders. Therefore, truncated corners may form or contribute to the adjustment means at the respective open end when the joining means is engaged.

[0007] Additionally, or alternatively, preferably, the adjustment means is provided along at least one of the second pair of edges. In this respect, the adjustment means may comprise a single adjustment member disposed along said edge, such as a drawstring. The adjustment means may comprise a securing means to retain the reduced/ gathered/ drawn condition of the opening at the open end, such as toggles.

[0008] Alternatively, the adjustment means may comprise a series of spaced cooperative members disposed along said edge, such as a series of pairs of snap-fit members or press studs, or a series of buttons and button holes, or a series of hook and loop portions in order to create pockets of material at the respective end to reduce the open end over the shoulders. One or more adjustment means may be utilised.

[0009] Preferably, the joining means comprises a single joining arrangement disposed along said edge, such as a zipper, or a hook and loop arrangement. Alternatively, the joining means may comprise a series of spaced cooperative members disposed along said edge, such as a series of pairs of snap-fit members or press studs, or a series of buttons and button holes, or a series of hook and loop portions or tabs in order to join the edges at suitably spaced intervals to provide the required degree of privacy within the enclosure. One or more joining means may be utilised.

[0010] The panel may comprise at least one pair of openings distanced appropriately from the end (a top end in use) with the adjustment means to provide arm holes. Preferably, the openings comprise a pair of slits, or may provide cut away portions. The openings may be provided with rigidity means, such as a resiliently flexible material provided around the periphery thereof, in order to better locate the openings when the towel is in use as a privacy enclosure. The slight rigidity may also contribute to a more advantageous enclosure "drop shape", such as an outward taper when the enclosure is in use, providing more volume at the bottom of the enclosure to facilitate changing.

[0011] The towel panel may comprise other rigidity means around the periphery of the towel. The rigidity means may comprise a resiliently flexible material provided around the periphery of the panel. However, all rigidity means are to be mild to moderate in strength, since they should not hinder normal use of the towel, i.e. to lie flat, be folded for storage/ carrying, wrap around a user, or dry a user.

[0012] Each of the openings is preferably disposed at approximately the same distance from one of the first pair of edges. The distance comprises approximately 20% to one 33% of a width of the panel between the first pair of edges.

[0013] The panel may comprise a water absorbent fabric. As such, the towel may be used for drying through direct contact. Suitable materials include, but are not limited to: cotton, rayon, bamboo, nonwoven fibres or other suitable material. According to a second aspect of the present invention there is provided a portable privacy enclosure for a user, comprising a panel of suitable material having a first and a second pair of opposing edges, the first pair of edges being substantially orthogonal to the second pair of edges, wherein the first pair of edges comprises a joining means adapted to form an open-ended enclosure and an adjustment means is provided in relation to at least one of the second pair of edges to reduce the opening of one of said open ends.

[0014] It will be appreciated that the preferred features described in relation to the first aspect of the invention may apply to the second aspect of the invention, as appropriate.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0015] For a better understanding of the invention, and to show how exemplary embodiments may be carried into effect, reference will now be made to the accompanying drawings in which:

Figure 1

is a schematic front view of a towel and/or privacy enclosure according to the invention in use; and

Figure 2

is a schematic plan view of the invention of figure 1.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE EXEMPLARY EMBODIMENTS

[0016] Figure 1 shows a towel and/or portable privacy enclosure (1) for a user (2), comprising a panel (3) of suitable material having a first pair of opposing edges (4) and a second pair of opposing edges (5), the first pair of edges (4) being substantially orthogonal to the second pair of edges (5), wherein the first pair of edges (4) comprises a joining means (6) adapted to form an open-ended (5a, 5b) flexible enclosure (1) from the panel (3) and an adjustment means (7) is provided in relation to at least one of the second pair of edges (5) to reduce one of said open ends (5a, 5b).

[0017] The adjustment means is provided along at least one of the second pair of edges (5) and comprises a single drawstring member (8) sewn into a folded-over portion (9) disposed along the edge (5a), although it may be appreciated a pocket with a drawstring running there through could be attached along the top as an alternative. The drawstring comprises toggles (8a) at each end thereof for securing a drawn or gathered arrangement at the reduced open end (5a).

[0018] The joining means (6) comprises cooperative zipper components provided along each of the first pair of edges (4).

[0019] A body (10) of the towel panel (3) also comprises at least one pair of slits (11) distanced appropriately from the open end (5a) with the adjustment means (7) to provide arm holes. Each of the slits (11) is disposed at approximately the same distance from one of the first pair of edges (4), which is approximately 20% of a width of the panel (3) between the first pair of edges (4).

[0020] The slits (11) are provided with rigidity means. The rigidity means is provided by an edging material, such as a rope-type edging sewn along the edges of the slits, or by an edging stitch, such as that provided along an edge of a floor rug. As an alternative, the material around the slits may be stiffened by impregnating the peripheral area with a solution that when dry, stiffens the peripheral area.

[0021] The panel (3) is substantially rectangular, but in another embodiment, may be provided with at least one pair of truncated corners (not shown).

[0022] In use, to form a privacy enclosure (1) for changing clothing, a user (2) may first join the first pair of edges (4) using the joining means (6), by engaging the zip and then reduce the adjustment means (7) as required at the open end (5a) by drawing the drawstring (8) until it is smaller than the user's (2) shoulders, but larger than the user's (2) head. The toggles (8a) are moved into place against the fabric of the open end (5a) to secure the reduced/ gathered/ drawn condition of the open end (5a). The resultant enclosure (1) is placed over the user's head and manoeuvred through the reduced open end (5a). The reduced end (5a) of the enclosure (1) sits on the user's (2) shoulders and drapes over the rest of the user's body. The drawstring (8) and toggles (8a) may be re-adjusted as required for comfort. The user (2) may then change clothing inside the enclosure (1) due to free use of his or her arms therein. Alternatively, the user (2) may choose to wholly or partly assemble the enclosure (1) around themselves, although it is anticipated that it may be easier to at least partly engage the joining means (6) in the first instance for ease.

[0023] Once in place, a user (2) such as a child may be encourage to place his or her arms through the slits (11) in order that an adult may assist with the changing of clothing without hindrance.

[0024] With this arrangement, the towel can provide an individual enclosure (1) for a user (2) by forming a closed screen around a major part of a body of the user (2) using the joining means (6) of the first pair of edges (4). Additionally, the towel can be dimensioned between the pair of first edges (4) to provide a good level of unrestricted movement around the user's body, whilst being prevented from slipping downwardly by adjustment one of the open ends (5a) to a level where it is smaller than the user's shoulders and can rest comfortably thereupon.

[0025] The towel panel (3) can be provided in a range of widths (between the first pair of sides (4)) to accommodate different user body girths and in a range of lengths (between the second pair of edges (5)) to accommodate different user heights.

[0026] Although a few preferred embodiments have been shown and described, it will be appreciated by those skilled in the art that various changes and modifications might be made without departing from the scope of the invention.

Claims

1. A towel comprising a panel of material having a first and a second pair of opposing edges, the first pair of edges being substantially orthogonal to the second pair of edges, wherein the first pair of edges comprises a joining means adapted to join said pair of edges to form an open-ended enclosure and an adjustment means is provided in relation to at least one of the second pair of edges to reduce the opening of one of said open ends of said open-ended enclosure.

2. A towel as claimed in claim 1 wherein, the panel is substantially rectangular.

3. A towel as claimed in claim 1 or claim 2 wherein the panel is provided with at least one pair of truncated corners.

4. A towel as claimed in claim 3 wherein each of the pair of one pair of truncated corners is disposed at opposite ends of one of the second pair of edges and the joining means extends along the truncated corners.

5. A towel as claimed in in any preceding claim wherein the adjustment means is provided along at least one of the second pair of edges.

6. A towel as claimed in claim 5 wherein the adjustment means comprises a single adjustment member disposed along said edge.

7. A towel as claimed in any preceding claim wherein the adjustment means comprise securing means to retain the reduced condition of the opening at the open end.

8. A towel as claimed in any preceding claim wherein the adjustment means comprise a series of spaced cooperative members disposed along said edge.

9. A towel as claimed in any preceding claim wherein the joining means comprises a single joining arrangement disposed along said edge.

10. A towel as claimed in any preceding claim wherein the joining means comprise a series of spaced cooperative members disposed along said edge.

11. A towel as claimed in in any preceding claim wherein the panel comprises at least one pair of openings distanced from the end with the adjustment means.

12. A towel as claimed in claim 11 wherein the openings comprise a pair of slits or cut away portions.

13. A towel as claimed in claim 11 or claim 12 wherein the openings are provided with a resiliently flexible material around the periphery thereof.

14. A towel as claimed in in any preceding claim wherein the panel comprises a resiliently flexible material provided around the periphery thereof.

15. A towel as claimed in any preceding claim wherein the panel comprises a water absorbent fabric.

Drawing