ANTI-SLIP POCKET LINERS

Abstract

An anti-slip attachment system and method for retaining items in a storage compartment may be provided. The anti-slip attachment system may include a plurality of malleable, high-friction strip attachments. Each attachment may include an elongated body having a top and bottom surface. The top surface may be composed of slip-resistant material having a high coefficient of friction (e.g., rubber). The bottom surface may include a layer of adhesive material with a release layer affixed thereto. Removal of the release layer may reveal the adhesive material, which may then be used to securely attach the strip attachment to a desired location. The strip attachments may be selectively positioned along an interior surface of a storage compartment to prevent the inadvertent displacement or unauthorized removal of contents stored therein.

Claims

1. An article, comprising: a pocket, the pocket integrated into the article and having an opening defined by an external top peripheral edge and an internal top peripheral edge; and at least one anti-slip strip affixed to the pocket on at least one side and disposed proximate to at least one of the external top peripheral edge and the internal top peripheral edge and facing inward into the opening, said anti-slip strip comprising at least one of an elastomer or fabric and having a high flexibility, high coefficient of friction, and low surface roughness, said at least one anti-slip strip being disposed over a majority of a length of the at least one of the external top peripheral edge and the internal top peripheral edge.

2. The article of claim 1, wherein the article is at least one of a garment, a personal luggage item, or a carrying article.

3. The article of claim 1, wherein the pocket is an external pocket comprising a pocket fabric surface and an article fabric surface, the pocket fabric surface fixedly attached to the article fabric surface along a peripheral portion of the pocket fabric surface so as to define the external top peripheral edge and at least one lower peripheral edge.

4. The article of claim 1, wherein the pocket is an internal pocket comprising an article fabric surface and a pocket bag, the article fabric surface having a hole defined therein having a perimeter, the pocket bag fixedly attached to the article fabric surface around the perimeter of the hole, the external top peripheral edge and the internal top peripheral edge defined on the article fabric surface.

5. The article of claim 1, wherein the at least one anti-slip strip comprises multiple collinear strips disposed on the at least one side of the pocket and proximate to the at least one of the external top peripheral edge and the internal top peripheral edge.

6. The article of claim 1, wherein the at least one anti-slip strip comprises at least one anti-slip strip on each of an internal side of the pocket and an external side of the pocket.

7. The article of claim 1, wherein the pocket further comprises a closure disposed along the at least one of the external top peripheral edge and the internal top peripheral edge, and wherein the at least one anti-slip strip is provided at a height of the pocket below a top of the closure.

8. The article of claim 1, wherein the at least one anti-slip strip is coupled to the pocket by at least one of stitching or adhesive.

9. The article of claim 1, wherein the at least one anti-slip strip is a fabric, and wherein the anti-slip strip comprises at least one of a fabric having a resinous deposit permeating the fabric and a fabric having a slip-resistant coating disposed on a top surface thereof.

10. The article of claim 1, wherein the at least one anti-slip strip is an elastomer comprising at least one of natural polyisoprene, nitrile rubber, PVC vinyl, silicone rubber, or ethylene propylene rubber.

11. A method of configuring an article having a pocket to have an anti-slip strip, the pocket being integrated into the article and having an opening defined by an external top peripheral edge and an internal top peripheral edge, the anti-slip strip comprising at least one of an elastomer or fabric and having a high flexibility, high coefficient of friction, and low surface roughness; the method comprising: affixing the anti-slip strip to the pocket on at least one side and proximate to at least one of the external top peripheral edge and the internal top peripheral edge such that the anti-slip strip faces inward into the opening, such that the anti-slip strip is disposed over a majority of a length of the at least one of the external top peripheral edge and the internal top peripheral edge.

12. The method of claim 11, wherein the anti-slip strip comprises a first surface of high-frictional material, a second surface of pressure-sensitive adhesive, and a third surface of detachable backing, and wherein the step of affixing the anti-slip strip further comprises: removing the third surface of detachable backing from the second surface of pressure-sensitive adhesive; applying the anti-slip strip to at least one of an internal surface of the pocket and an external surface of the pocket; applying pressure to the first surface of high-frictional material.

13. The method of claim 11, wherein the anti-slip strip comprises a first surface of high-frictional material, a second surface of thermosensitive adhesive, and a third surface of detachable backing, and wherein the step of affixing the anti-slip strip further comprises: removing the third surface of detachable backing from the second surface of pressure-sensitive adhesive; applying the anti-slip strip to at least one of an internal surface of the pocket and an external surface of the pocket; applying heat to the anti-slip strip.

14. The method of claim 11, wherein the anti-slip strip comprises a first surface of high-frictional material, and wherein the step of affixing the anti-slip strip further comprises: applying the anti-slip strip to at least one of an internal surface of the pocket and an external surface of the pocket; coupling the anti-slip strip to the at least one of the internal surface of the pocket and the external surface of the pocket by at least one of stitching or a fastener.

15. The method of claim 11, wherein the method further comprises removing the anti-slip strip, the method comprising at least one of applying force to the anti-slip strip to peel the anti-slip strip away from the pocket and applying a solvent to dissolve an adhesive layer of the anti-slip strip.

16. The method of claim 11, wherein the method comprises affixing a plurality of anti-slip strips to the pocket on at least one side and proximate to at least one of the external top peripheral edge and the internal top peripheral edge such that the plurality of anti-slip strips face inward into the opening, such that the plurality of anti-slip strips are disposed over a majority of a length of the at least one of the external top peripheral edge and the internal top peripheral edge.

17. The method of claim 16, wherein at least two anti-slip strips in the plurality of anti-slip strips are arranged collinearly on at least one of an internal side of the pocket and an external side of the pocket.

18. The method of claim 16, wherein at least one anti-slip strip is disposed on an internal side of the pocket and at least one anti-slip strip is disposed on an external side of the pocket.

19. The method of claim 11, wherein the pocket further comprises a closure disposed along the at least one of the external top peripheral edge and the internal top peripheral edge, and wherein the method further comprises affixing the anti-slip strip at a height of the pocket below a top of the closure.

20. The method of claim 11, wherein the article is at least one of a garment, a personal luggage item, or a carrying article.

Description

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE FIGURES

[0016] Advantages of embodiments of the present invention will be apparent from the following detailed description of the exemplary embodiments. The following detailed description should be considered in conjunction with the accompanying figures in which:

[0017] FIG. 1 illustrates a perspective view of a kit of anti-slip strip attachments according to an exemplary embodiment of the present invention;

[0018] FIG. 2 illustrates an enlarged cross-sectional view of an exemplary embodiment of a strip attachment;

[0019] FIG. 3 illustrates a perspective view of an exemplary embodiment of a pocket enclosure; and

[0020] FIG. 4 illustrates a sectional view taken along line A-A of the pocket enclosure of FIG. 3 according to an exemplary embodiment of the present invention.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0021] Aspects of the invention are disclosed in the following description and related drawings directed to specific embodiments of the invention. Alternate embodiments may be devised without departing from the spirit or the scope of the invention. Additionally, well-known elements of exemplary embodiments of the invention will not be described in detail or will be omitted so as not to obscure the relevant details of the invention. Further, to facilitate an understanding of the description discussion of several terms used herein follows.

[0022] As used herein, the word exemplary means serving as an example, instance or illustration. The embodiments described herein are not limiting, but rather are exemplary only. It should be understood that the described embodiments are not necessarily to be construed as preferred or advantageous over other embodiments. Moreover, the terms embodiments of the invention, embodiments or invention do not require that all embodiments of the invention include the discussed feature, advantage or mode of operation.

[0023] According to an exemplary embodiment, a slip-resistant system for garments and other personal accessories may be provided. The anti-slip attachment system may prevent the inadvertent displacement or unauthorized removal of adjacent objects, such as a mobile phone, wallet, set of keys, and the like, residing within a storage compartment. The storage compartment may be a fabric pocket, an accessory pocket, such as in a handbag or wallet, or any other type of storage enclosure as may be known by a person having ordinary skill in the art.

[0024] The anti-slip attachment system may include a plurality of malleable, high-friction material strips disposed along an interior surface of a storage compartment. Each of the strip attachments may include an elongated body having a pair of opposing surfaces. In an exemplary embodiment, a first surface may consist of a high-frictional material (e.g., rubber), which serves as retaining means for resisting displacement of adjacent objects. A second surface of each strip may contain an adhesive that secures the strip to a designated location. The adhesive may be covered with a detachable backing prior to use.

[0025] In other exemplary embodiments, it may be contemplated that, instead of adhesively coupling a high-friction solid material to the interior surface of a storage compartment, a high-friction area may be formed in a strip (or another pattern) on the interior surface of a storage compartment by the application of a liquid or viscous material that cures into a high-friction solid material or otherwise cures into a region of higher friction. In some exemplary embodiments, such a material may be a polymer, such as an epoxy or another glue or adhesive, or may be another material, such as a heat-curing silicone gel. In some exemplary embodiments, multiple materials or multiple layers of material may be used; for example, it may be desired to initially impregnate the fabric of an interior surface of a storage compartment with a first layer of uncured polymer (or other material), at which point the material may be allowed to cure, if desired. Then, once that region of fabric has been impregnated with the first layer of material, a second layer of uncured polymer (or, again, another material, such as silicone gel) may be applied over the first layer so as to provide a high-friction solid surface.

[0026] The anti-slip attachment system may be integrated into a garment's manufacture or may alternatively be applied post-production. The anti-slip attachments may be sewn into a surface of the garment or be affixed thereto using a suitable adhesive, heat sensitive adhesive, thermal bonding, releasable clasp, or any other type of suitable fastener as would be understood by a person having ordinary skill in the art. The arrangement of the anti-slip attachments may vary depending upon the type of storage enclosure and its application.

[0027] As shown in FIG. 1, according to an exemplary embodiment of the present invention, a kit 100 for outfitting transportable storage compartments, such as garment pockets, with slip-resistant technology may be provided. The kit 100 may include a packaging container 102 having a plurality of malleable, high-friction strip attachments 104 positioned therein. Each strip attachment 104 may have an identical shape and size, or may alternatively come in varied dimension and form. The strip attachments 104 may be maintained on and detachable from a backing sheet 106. The backing sheet 106 may organize the plurality of strip attachments 104 along a length thereof. In some exemplary embodiments, and as shown in FIG. 1, the backing sheet 106 may retain the plurality of strip attachments 104 in parallel along a front-facing surface. An indicia or label 108 for identification of the kit 100, for example Pocket Stopper, may be maintained on an outward facing surface of the backing sheet 106.

[0028] According to some exemplary embodiments, the backing sheet 106 may include a laminate structure having a backing layer and an adhesive layer. The backing layer may be composed of a pliable material that allows the adhesive layer to be easily detachable therefrom. The backing layer may be, for example, a single sheet of cardboard paper with a silicon release coating or other adhesive resistant coating applied to one surface thereof. The adhesive layer may at least partially cover a surface of the backing layer. The adhesive layer may be constructed from a pressure sensitive adhesive suitable for maintaining the strip attachments in contact with the backing layer, while also allowing for their easy removal. In other exemplary embodiments, strip attachments 104 may be separated on the backing sheet 106 by transverse perforations. Individual strip attachments 104 may be separable from the backing 106 by tearing along the perforations.

[0029] Each kit 100 may be individually packaged within a packaging container 102, such as being encased in plastic, paper, or any other suitable wrapping material. The packaging container 102 may be transparent so that the contents of the kit 100 are visible without opening of the container 102.

[0030] Now referring to FIG. 2, an enlarged cross-sectional view of a strip attachment 200 according to an exemplary embodiment of the present invention may be provided. The strip attachment 200 may form a multilayered body portion 202 having a substantially rectangular shape. The body portion 202 may include a slip-resistant layer 204 proximate upper edge 214, a protective release liner layer 208 proximate lower edge 218, and an adhesive layer 206 positioned therebetween. The slip-resistant layer 204 may be constructed from a material having a higher coefficient of friction than that of the substrate to which the strip attachment 200 is applied (e.g., interior fabric lining of garment pocket). The high-frictional material may thus serve as retaining means for resisting displacement of adjacent objects stored within an interior space of the storage compartment. In some exemplary embodiments, for example, the slip-resistant layer 204 may be an elastomer (e.g., natural polyisoprene, nitrile rubber, PVC vinyl, silicone rubber, ethylene propylene rubber, etc.). In other exemplary embodiments, the slip-resistant layer 204 may be a flexible sheet material, such as fabric, treated with resinous deposits (e.g., vinyl resin). Still in other exemplary embodiments, the slip-resistant layer 204 may be fabric having a slip-resistant coating (e.g., resin coating) on a top surface thereof.

[0031] The adhesive layer 206 may contact a bottom surface of the slip-resistant layer 204. The adhesive layer 206 may be, for example, a pressure-sensitive adhesive that is formulated for use in peel and stick applications. The adhesive layer 206 may be composed of any pressure-sensitive adhesive or thermosensitive adhesive that creates an adhesive bond between strip attachment 200 and a substrate to which it is applied. A bottom surface of the adhesive layer 206 may be covered by a releasable backing or a protective release liner layer 208. The release liner layer 208 may extend the length and width of the adhesive layer 206, overlapping the surface area in its entirety. The release liner layer 208 may prevent the strip attachment 200 from contamination during handling and/or premature adhesion to a substrate during application. The release liner layer 208 may be composed of paper, polymeric film (e.g., polyethylene, polypropylene, polyester), composite materials, and/or any other known release liner material as would be understood by a person having ordinary skill in the art. The release liner 208 may be coated with a release agent, such as silicone, a fluorochemical, or any other known coating that renders the surface substantially non-adhesive. During the application process, the release liner layer 208 may be removed from the strip attachment 200 to reveal the adhesive layer 206 underneath. The release liner 208 may be removed by simply pulling the layer away from the attachment 200.

[0032] FIG. 3 may illustrate a pocket enclosure 300 according to an exemplary embodiment of the present invention. The pocket enclosure 300 may be a conventional fabric pocket integrated into an article of clothing to hold small items. Such articles of clothing may include pants, jeans, shorts, shirts, jackets, or any other article of clothing designed with at least one pocket enclosure. The pocket 300 may be formed by fixedly attaching two opposing fabric surfaces along a portion of their peripheries. This may be accomplished, for example, by switching 308. The pocket enclosure 300 may include a top peripheral edge 302, opposing lateral edges 304, and a bottom peripheral edge 306. The bottom peripheral edge 306 may form a conventional straight line substantially parallel to the top peripheral edge 302; alternatively, the bottom peripheral edge 306 may taper to form a V-shaped portion (as shown in FIG. 3).

[0033] An aperture formed along the top edge 302 may provide an opening into the interior space of the pocket 300. The aperture may thus facilitate insertion and removal of objects to and from the interior space. The aperture may remain permanently open, or may be partially closable by use of such items as a button, a zipper, hook-and-loop fasteners, or any other type of closure device as would be understood by a person having ordinary skill in the art.

[0034] The pocket enclosure 300 may take various forms, for example with regard to different fabrics, layers, component parts, shapes, orientation and construction, as would be understood by a person having ordinary skill in the art. Furthermore, the pocket enclosure 300 may be provided within a garment, personal luggage item, or any other carrying article to which a pocket may be incorporated.

[0035] FIG. 4 may illustrate a cutaway perspective view along axis of A-A of FIG. 3 of a pocket 400 with anti-slip strip attachments 402 disposed along an interior portion thereof. The strip attachments 402 may be secured to a fabric surface 404 opposite garment surface 406. The strip attachments 402 may extend along a portion of the fabric surface 404 adjacent a top peripheral edge. Each attachment 402 may be secured to the fabric surface 404 via adhesive layer 408. The slip-resistant layer 410 of each attachment 402 may thus face inward toward an interior portion of the pocket 400. With this configuration, an item stored within the pocket 400 may contact the slip-resistant layer 410 of each attachment 400 and may be held securely in place from a higher frictional resistance. In some exemplary embodiments, the strip attachments 402 may be secured to the garment surface 406, the fabric surface 404, both surfaces, or any combination thereof. It may also be contemplated that the strip attachments 402 be positioned along any interior surface and in any orientation to provide adequate frictional resistance for securing contents within the pocket 400.

[0036] Furthermore, a method of affixing a strip attachment to a storage compartment, for example, may include detaching a strip attachment from a kit, positioning the strip attachment on a surface, and applying pressure to the strip attachment against the surface. The method may also include removing a release liner layer on a bottom surface of the strip attachment to reveal an adhesive layer, and positioning the strip attachment with the adhesive layer proximate the interior surface of the storage compartment. The method may further include removing the strip attachment from an interior surface by using force to pull the strip attachment away from the applied surface or by dissolving the adhesive material with a solvent, such as mineral oil.

[0037] The foregoing description and accompanying figures illustrate the principles, preferred embodiments and modes of operation of the invention. However, the invention should not be construed as being limited to the particular embodiments discussed above. Additional variations of the embodiments discussed above will be appreciated by those skilled in the art.

[0038] Therefore, the above-described embodiments should be regarded as illustrative rather than restrictive. Accordingly, it should be appreciated that variations to those embodiments can be made by those skilled in the art without departing from the scope of the invention as defined by the following claims.