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A lot of passengers' in-flight essentials include a cosy hoodie to keep warm, an eye mask to block out light, and a neck pillow for a comfortable sleep.

Now a novelty product has gone on sale that combines all three, and promises the ultimate 'cocoonification'.

The HoodiePillow is made of that soft sweatshirt material that makes it the ultimate 'lounge' (fancy term for couch potato) wear, and is essentially a hood attached to a pillow case.

The future is cosy ... the new HoodiePillow combines a hoodie with a travel neck pillow

The idea came from sleep-deprived new father to triplets, Chris Hindley, who wanted to catch a nap anywhere

The napping accessory comes in two forms: The standard HoodiePillow fits a full-sized bed pillow, and the Travel HoodiePillow, which comes with a built-in inflatable travel neck pillow.

As well as standard sweatshirt material, it also comes in some eye-catching fleece fabrics including hot pink leopard print, zebra, and Aztec designs, and can even be custom printed with a logo.

There is a side pocket that holds a phone or wallet, and holes to fit headphone wires through.

Rest your head in comfort on the HoodiePillow

The accessory also comes in full-sized form, fitting a standard bed pillow (not included) and a phone pocket

Design: Made of soft sweatshirt material, a hood is attached to the pillowcase, with a hole for earphones

Like so many ideas, the concept for HoodiePillow was born from desperation. 

As a new parent to triplets, co-founder Chris Hindley and his wife Dana, from New Jersey, found themselves seriously sleep deprived.

In need of an aid to nap whenever and wherever the occasion arose, Hindley designed the HoodiePillow, and was quickly inundated with requests for one from friends and family.

Realising there was a demand for his invention, Hindley obtained a patent in 2012. 

Hindley teamed up with another entrepreneur Rebecca Rescate and they pitched their creation on popular US Dragons' Den-style show, Shark Tank.

Look familiar? The invention promises to save sleep-deprived travellers from this scenario

Co-founders Rebecca Rescate and Chris Hindley appeared on Dragons' Den-style show Shark Tank

The HoodiePillow team hope the product appeals to not only travellers, but night-shift workers, light sleepers, and 'adults with autism who like to feel "cocooned".'

The HoodiePillow retails for $19.95 (£12.75) and is available online and from US retailers.

It's not the first gadget promising travellers a good night's sleep.

In May, the 'b-tourist' was unveiled - a loop of elastic fabric designed to be stretched between two seat headrests, allowing the user to seal themselves off from their surroundings.

Travel accessories: Earlier this year we reported on the 'Ostrich Pillow' - a bizarre wearable padded balaclava

The unusual 'b-tourist' claims to offer privacy to passengers on crowded flights

Once it is hooked over two seats, it can be positioned in a variety of ways to support a passenger's head and even has a pocket for storing music players and books.

And for those who lack any vanity at all, there is the 'Ostrich Pillow' - a bizarre wearable pillow that resembles a padded balaclava.

It shuts out all surrounding noise, has a mouth hole for breathing and two side holes for on-the-go nappers to slide their hands in.