Rigid Protector Sleeve

Abstract

The invention relates to a protective sleeve comprised of rigid boards, an outer material shell, and an inner material lining. Rigid protector sleeve can be made to be inserted into a bag, case, box, or similar product or to which handles or a strap can be attached directly for carrying. Rigid boards, outer shell, and inner lining are configured in such a way as to create a narrow pocket to be used for protection of important flat documents, art, memorabilia, or other merchandise from damage such as bending, tearing, folding, and the like that can occur when these types of items are transported using other methods.

Claims

1. A rigid protector sleeve, comprising: an inner lining, an outer shell, and two or more rigid boards, wherein rigid boards are sewn between inner lining and outer shell to create one or more pockets that have a rigid front and rigid back and narrow non-rigid sides and wherein said rigid protector sleeve is constructed in such a manner as to create a snug pocket able to support even a single document from bending due to gravity.

2. The rigid protector sleeve of claim 1, wherein said rigid boards are rectangular in shape.

3. The rigid protector sleeve of claim 1, wherein said rigid boards are square in shape.

4. The rigid protector sleeve of claim 1, wherein said outer shell and inner lining may have a strap or handles.

5. The rigid protector sleeve of claim 1, wherein said rigid boards may be sewn into the lining, in addition to the minimum of two rigid boards, to create additional pockets within the rigid protector sleeve.

Description

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE SEVERAL VIEWS OF THE DRAWING

[0018] The advantages and features of the present invention will appear from the description when considered in conjunction with the accompanying drawings, in which:

[0019] FIG. 1 is a front or back view (front and back are the same) of the rigid protector sleeve made in accordance with the principles of the present invention generally showing the rigid protector sleeve to be narrow and rectangular. The shaded area being the rigid board between the lining and outer shell.

[0020] FIG. 2 is a cross section view of the rigid protector sleeve made in accordance with the principles of the present invention generally showing the two rigid boards configured between the lining and outer shell creating a narrow pocket for documents/merchandise.

[0021] FIG. 3 is a cross section view of the rigid protector sleeve made in accordance with the principles of the present invention generally showing the more than two rigid boards configured between the lining and outer shell creating multiple narrow pockets for documents/merchandise.

[0022] FIG. 4 is a top view of the rigid protector sleeve showing a narrow pocket created by the rigid boards being configured between the inner lining and outer shell.

[0023] FIG. 5 is a top view of the rigid protector sleeve demonstrating that while a minimum of two rigid panels are required, multiple rigid panels can be used to create additional pockets.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0024] A rigid protector sleeve, in accordance with the present invention, generally includes two or more rigid boards each covered and attached to one another to form a protective pocket(s). The rigid protector sleeve is generally comprised of rectangular boards made from rigid material. Rigid boards are covered in a secondary material or fabric to provide a means of attaching panels to one another to create a protective pocket.

[0025] The material is used to create one pocket that is the outer shell of the rigid protector sleeve, and a second pocket that is the inner lining of the rigid protector sleeve. The inner lining pocket is inserted into the outer shell pocket to create a pocket with two layers. These pockets are then sewn to each other on both sides and the bottom. Seams of varying widths apart on the sides and bottom are used to create the width of the finished rigid protector sleeve. Rigid boards are inserted between the front outer shell and front inner lining, as well as between the back outer shell and back outer lining. The front outer shell and back outer shell are then sewn to the front inner lining and back inner lining respectively to close the rigid boards between the pocket layers and create a finished rigid protector sleeve.

[0026] The result of the above process is a narrow pocket with an outer material shell, an inner material lining, and rigid boards between those layers on two sides. The rigid sides are opposite each other and referred to as the front and back. The sides of the pocket consist of the outer shell and inner lining sewn together without rigid boards between the layers. Narrow sides can be either flexible or stiff depending on the material used to cover the rigid boards.

[0027] For greater storage additional rigid boards may be added to the first rigid protector sleeve pocket in the same manner creating multiple pockets within the rigid protector sleeve. For example four rigid boards when constructed and attached to one another would result in a rigid protector sleeve that has three separate pockets.

[0028] The rigid protector sleeve made from rigid boards and additional material can be attached to the inside of a bag, case, box, or similar product, or used alone. In order to enhance the versatility of the bag, case, box, or similar product, the rigid protector sleeve can be either permanently affixed to the inside of the bag, case, box, or similar product, or be made as a removable unit. A removable rigid protector sleeve provides for the use of the bag, case, box, or similar product alone. When the rigid protector sleeve is attached to the inside of the bag, case, box, or similar product it creates a minimum of two compartments within the bag, case, box, or similar product. The sleeve position can be fixed or adjustable. The rigid protector sleeve can be flush with the front or back, or the rigid protector sleeve can be affixed to the sides of the bag, case, box, or similar product at any point between the front and back of the bag, case, box, or similar product.

[0029] A handle(s) or strap(s) may be provided, which includes flexible or rigid materials attached directly to the rigid protector sleeve for the purposes of carrying the sleeve. Latch means may be provided for holding the rigid protector sleeve edges against one another in a closed position. In order to enhance the convenience of the rigid protector sleeve, the rigid protector sleeve may also include at least one pocket. Pockets must be located on the outside of the rigid protector sleeve and may not be located between rigid panels.