Garment holding device

Abstract

The present invention relates to a garment holding device comprising a main sheet of material rollable in a rolling direction and at least one cloth attachment means attached to said main sheet, wherein the main sheet is provided with at least two elongated elevated zones on the front side of the main sheet, essentially mutually parallel arranged at or near the edges of said main sheet and parallel to said rolling direction, such that when the device is rolled up, a curved spacing is created for holding a suit or another garment, without substantial forces being exerted thereto and without sharp bends.

Claims

1. A garment holding device comprising a main sheet of material rollable in a rolling direction, wherein the main sheet is provided with at least two elongated elevated zones on the front side of the main sheet, essentially mutually parallel arranged at or near the edges of said main sheet and parallel to said rolling direction, such that when the device is rolled up, a curved spacing is created for holding a suit or another garment, without substantial forces being exerted thereto and without sharp bends, and wherein the main sheet is made from a paper or ribbed cardboard.

2. The garment holding device according to claim 1, in which said main sheet is continuously bendable in said rolling direction.

3. The garment holding device according to claim 1, wherein the elongated elevated zones have a thickness of at least 4 mm, and in particular more than 9 millimeter, such that in a rolled up configuration, a garment storage space with a helix shaped cross section is obtained.

4. The garment holding device according to claim 1, wherein the elevated zones are made from an at least somewhat resilient material, that closes the device at its sides such that no moisture can enter, but is not compressed by the rolling force required for rolling up the device.

5. The garment holding device according to claim 1, in which said main sheet has in a direction perpendicular to the rolling direction, over at least a part of its length in the rolling direction, a rigidity that is sufficiently high to take up a pressing external radial point load of 25-35 N on the outside of the main sheet when said main sheet is in a rolled up state, without deformation of more than 10 mm of each point on the surface area.

6. The garment holding device according to claim 1, in which said main sheet has in a direction perpendicular to the rolling direction, over at least a part of its length in the rolling direction, a rigidity that is sufficiently high to take up a pressing external radial load of 210-270 N equally distributed over a surface area that spans the outside length of the main sheet when said main sheet is in a rolled up state, without deformation of more than 10 mm of each point on the surface area.

7. The garment holding device according to claim 1, further comprising relief zones, wherein at least one of the elongated elevated zones and relief zones is provided with recesses in the direction perpendicular to the direction of rolling, for example V-shaped or rectangular shaped.

8. The garment holding device according to claim 1, in which at least one of the elongated elevated zones and the relief zones is inflatable.

9. The garment holding device according to claim 1, wherein a part of the main sheet has a higher rigidity than the rest of the main sheet, for instance realised by a higher density or thickness, another material, a combination of materials or an extra layer.

10. The garment holding device according to claim 9, comprising a hook suitable for carrying the device in unrolled shape, wherein the hook is integrated with or attached to a garment attachment means.

11. The garment holding device according to claim 1, further comprising two garment attachment means attached to the front side of the main sheet, and a folding line in the main sheet between and parallel to said two garment attachment means as well as a hook attached to the main sheet between said two garment attachment means or to a garment attachment means.

12. The garment holding device according to claim 1, wherein the main sheet is coupled to a corus, about which the device is rollable, and wherein the connection between the main sheet and the corus may be a hinge.

13. The garment holding device according to claim 12, wherein each of the elongated elevated zones of the main sheet has a higher elongated part and a lower elongated part, wherein each higher part faces the edge to which it is closest, and, when a covering sheet is covering the main sheet, it is positioned over the lower parts of the elongated elevated zones of the main sheet.

14. The garment holding device according to claim 1, wherein the relief zones lie over the lower elongated elevated part when the device is in the rolled up state.

15. A method for shipping a plurality of disassembled garment holding devices, comprising the steps of: Stacking an amount of main sheets of the plurality of disassembled garment holding devices, wherein the main sheets are made from a paper or ribbed cardboard; Enclosing, in one or more containers, the amount of main sheets and an amount of elevated zones configured to be assembled with the main sheets of the plurality of disassembled garment holding devices; Shipping the main sheets and elevated zones of the plurality of disassembled garment holding devices for assembly by a receiving party, wherein the main sheets and elevated zones of the plurality of disassembled garment holding devices can be shipped in the same or separate containers; Assembling the plurality of disassembled garment holding devices by the receiving party once the receiving party has received both the main sheets and the elevated zones of the plurality or disassembled garment holding devices, by assembling each main sheet with at least two elongated zones on the front side of the main sheet, essentially mutually parallel arranged at or near the edges of said main sheet and parallel to a rolling direction, such that when the assembled garment holding device is rolled up, a curved spacing is created for holding a suit or another garment, without substantial forces being exerted thereto and without sharp bends.

16. The method according to claim 15, wherein the disassembled garment device comprises a corus, which is shipped as a flat blank.

Description

(1) The invention will now be clarified on the basis of a preferred embodiment, referring to the accompanying drawings and solely as an illustration of the invention and not in limitation thereof. In the drawings:

(2) FIGS. 1a and 1b show a first embodiment of the invention, respectively in a folded state for hanging, and an elongated state for packing and unpacking,

(3) FIG. 2 shows a second embodiment of the invention, similar to the first embodiment but provided with a flap,

(4) FIG. 3 shows a third embodiment of the invention, and

(5) FIG. 4 shows the cross-section A-A of part of the first embodiment,

(6) FIG. 5 shows schematically, not drawn to scale, a cross-section over a fourth embodiment of the invention, provided with a flap having rims;

(7) FIG. 6 shows a cross section of a perspective side view of the garment holding device according to the present invention, in a rolled up position;

(8) FIG. 7 shows a blank for a corus for a cardboard version of the device according to the present invention.

(9) In FIGS. 1a and 1b, a garment holding device 1 comprises a main sheet 2 of material rollable in a rolling direction R, indicated by an arrow in FIG. 1b. Attached to the main sheet 2 are two cloth attachment means in the shape of a clothes hanger 3 and a trouser holder 4.

(10) The main sheet 2 is provided with two elongated elevated zones 5, 5 on the front side of the main sheet (top side in FIG. 1b), mutually parallel arranged close to the edges of the main sheet 2 and parallel to the rolling direction R, and at a mutual distance of approximately 60 cm.

(11) The main sheet 2 is continuously bendable over its entire length in the direction R. Alternatively, but not shown, it could be provided with stiff parts and a number, for example five, bending lines, each arranged perpendicular to the rolling direction R. The main sheet 2 is provided with at least two relief zones 6, 6 on the back side of the main sheet, at locations opposing said at least two elevated zones 5, 5 on the front side of the main sheet.

(12) In FIG. 4, a part of the embodiment shown in FIG. 1 is shown in cross-section. Here, the main sheet 2 is visible and the elevated zone 5 on the front side thereof, as well as the relief zone 6 at the rear side of the main sheet. The relief zone 6 is in shape complementary to that of the elevated zone 5, and has a recess 7 that cooperates with peak 8. These measures have as a result that the relief zone 6 cooperates during the rolling up with the elongated elevated zone 5 in guiding said rolling up. The same holds, mutatis mutandis, for the zones 5 and 6. It is noted that the elevated zones 5, 5 and the relief zones 6, 6 extend along a large part of the length of the main sheet 2, in this embodiment. They are left away only in the zone that is rolled up as last zone, and that serves are a cover of the device. It is not shown, but the main sheet 2 is (see FIG. 1b) at its rear side provided with stiffening material, providing it a high rigidity in a direction perpendicular to the rolling direction, in order to provide the device in its rolled up state, possibly with garments in it, with sufficient strength on its outside area to be able to withstand normal handling during transportation, such as carrying the device in busses, airports, airplanes and cars, etc, without substantially deforming and thereby wrinkling or otherwise damaging the clothes rolled up inside the device.

(13) The clothes hanger 3 may hold suits, but of course may also carry a dress, including a ceremonial dress, or any other piece of clothing. Similarly, the trouser holder 4 may hold other things than trousers. The clothes hanger 3 is made of foam with rods inserted in it, in the lateral direction (R being the longitudinal direction), in order to provide it with sufficient stiffness and strength and meanwhile maintaining the flexibility necessary to allow the main sheet 2 to bend and be rolled up.

(14) Further, the clothes hanger 3 is integrated with a hook 9, by which hook 9 the device can be varied in unrolled shape; in this manner it may be hung on a cupboard or a stand (not shown).

(15) The clothes hanger 3 and the trouser holder 4 are both attached to the front side of the main sheet 2, and a folding line coinciding with the edge 10 in the main sheet 2 is located between and parallel to the clothes hanger 3 and the trouser holder 4. An opening (not shown) in the main sheet 2 allows the hook 9 to reach outside when the main sheet is in the rolled state; in this manner it becomes possible for a person to carry the device in its rolled state by the hook, or to hang it by the hook. Not discussed into detail, but present, are various straps and grips for securing the device in its rolled up state respectively for carrying the device in that state, either as a horizontal or vertical roll. Both positions may be beneficial, depending on the circumstances or environment. In particular a shoulder strap is mentioned (but not shown), attached to or near the ends of the device in its rolled state, and long enough to enable a person to carry the device conveniently by putting the strap over her shoulder, while the rolled up device hangs horizontally are hip-height or approximately that height.

(16) A tube 13 is present at the end of the main sheet 2 where rolling is started. Such a tube is convenient for rolling up with a larger radius, with as a result an even smaller risk of wrinkling of the garments. The tube, when given a larger volume, may also be convenient for holding objects, such as a tie or shoes, in it.

(17) FIG. 2 shows an embodiment almost identical to the embodiment shown in FIG. 1, only differing in that it additionally comprises a covering sheet 12 attached to the main sheet 2, in the shape of a thin transparent plastic sheet. The covering sheet 12 covers, when it is folded over the main sheet 2, one part of the front side of the main sheet 2, viz. one of the two parts meant for one piece of garment, as separated by the folding line coinciding with the edge 10.

(18) In FIG. 5, in a fourth embodiment of the invention, each of the elongated elevated zones of the main sheet has a higher elongated part 13 and a lower elongated part 14, wherein each higher part faces the edge to which it is closest. The covering sheet or flap 15 has two elevated rims 16 on the side thereof facing away from the main sheet 2 and positioned on the lower parts 13 of the elongated elevated zones of the main sheet 2, when the device is rolled up. Not shown, is a hanger attached to the flap, on the same side thereof as the rims 16. In this embodiment, two pieces of clothing can be stored inside the device, in separate compartments, when the device is rolled up.

(19) Relief zones 17 are attached to the rear side of the main sheet 2. They rest on the rims 16 when the device is in the rolled up state.

(20) Due to the presence of push buttons (not shown) at the edges of the flap 15, the flap is detachable from the main sheet 2 and can be fitted upside down, i.e. with its rims 16 facing the main sheet, in the unrolled state of the device, in order to provide a single, larger compartment instead of two smaller ones.

(21) In this embodiment, the flap 15 is made of stretchable material, which enhances anti-crease effect of the device.

(22) It is noted that the rims 16 may also be omitted, while increasing the height of the relief zones 17. In this manner, the flap 15 is no longer reinforced by the rims, but this function may be taken over by e.g. push buttons by which the flap is attached to the lower elevated parts 14, in particular when stretch material is used for the flap 15. The three illustrated embodiments may also comprise means for automatically rolling up, or stretching, the main sheet 2. These means may be integrated with the elevated zones 5, 5 and/or the relief zones 6, 6. Such means are known per se, they are for instance applied in artificial satellites for unrolling RF-antennas and also in bracelets.

(23) FIG. 6 shows a perspective side view 20 of a cross section of the garment holding device according to the present invention, in a rolled up position. Visible are the optional corus 21 (dashed) to which the main sheet is connected by a hinge 22. In the closed position, the elevated zones create a curved spacing 23 with a helix shaped cross section is created for holding a suit 24 or another garment, without substantial forces being exerted thereto and without sharp bends.

(24) Variants can be made to the embodiments shown, without leaving the scope of the claims. For example, the main sheet may be made of bamboo rods arranged parallel to the axis of symmetry of the rolled product. Moreover, the elongated elevated zones and relief zones may be somewhat compressible and may have heights that vary in the rolling direction of the main sheet.

(25) FIG. 7 shows a blank 25 for a corus of a cardboard version of the present invention. The blank may be integrated with a main sheet, or attachable thereto, for instance by means of a adhesive surface 26. The corus has folding lines, that allow to form a polygonal shape from it. As a blank, the corus can easily be shipped, in particular in large quantities, as a stack. In a rolled up or folded state, the triangular extensions 27 are bent over their folding lines 28 to form a sidewall. Extensions 29 can be clamped in slits 30, to fix the corus in the folded position.