Ergonomic garment carrier

Abstract

An ergonomic garment carrier which accommodates garments such as suit shirts, jackets, pants and skirts as well as other items a traveler would typically transport or store.

Claims

1. A garment carrier comprising: an internal bag portion comprising: sides that collectively define a storage pocket therebetween, the sides including a bottom side, and a reversible closure on at least one of the sides, for providing access to the storage pocket of the internal bag portion; and an external garment bag portion comprising: an internal side and an external side, wherein at least a portion of the internal side and the external side are affixed together, thereby defining a storage pocket therebetween, and wherein the internal bag portion is disposed adjacent to the internal side, and a reversible closure on the internal side, for providing access to the storage pocket of the garment bag portion, wherein, in a closed, transport configuration of the garment carrier: the internal side of the external garment bag portion encloses (i) the bottom side of the internal bag portion and (ii) the reversible closure on the internal side of the external garment bag portion, the internal side of the external garment bag portion includes a generally radiused portion, wherein the bottom side of the internal bag portion is disposed adjacent to the radiused portion, and a portion of the external side of the external garment bag portion that is below the bottom side of the internal bag portion comprises a flexible panel that defines a base of support upon which the garment carrier is self-supported.

2. The garment carrier of claim 1, wherein the internal bag portion is affixed to the internal side of the external garment bag portion.

3. The garment carrier of claim 1, wherein, in a partially open configuration of the garment carrier: the internal side of the external garment bag portion encloses at most (i) one side, and (ii) the bottom side of the internal bag portion, and the reversible closure on the internal side of the external garment bag portion, and the reversible closure on the one side of the internal bag portion, are accessible from at least one of above the garment carrier or from a side of the garment carrier.

4. The garment carrier of claim 1, wherein the internal bag portion is affixed to the external garment bag portion such that when the garment carrier is in an open configuration and the garment carrier is folded together, the garment carrier enters the closed, transport configuration.

5. The garment carrier of claim 1, wherein, in the closed, transport configuration, the portion of the internal side of the external garment bag portion fully encloses (i) the bottom side of the internal bag portion, and (ii) exactly two side sides of the internal bag portion, and at least partially encloses a top side of the internal bag portion.

6. The garment carrier of claim 1, wherein, in the closed, transport configuration, the portion of the internal side of the external garment bag portion encloses (i) the bottom side of the internal bag portion, and (ii) less than all of two side sides of the internal bag portion, and does not enclose any of a top side of the internal bag portion.

7. The garment carrier of claim 1, wherein, in the closed, transport configuration, the reversible closure on the one side of the internal bag portion is accessible from at least one of above the garment carrier or from a side of the garment carrier.

8. The garment carrier of claim 1, wherein the external garment bag portion comprises: a single handle, strap or yoke affixed to an external side of the external garment bag portion, wherein, in the closed, transport configuration of the garment carrier, the single handle, strap or yoke is accessible from above the garment carrier or from the side of the garment carrier.

9. The garment carrier of claim 1, wherein the internal bag portion comprises: a single handle, strop or yoke, one end of which is attached to a first of the sides of the internal bag portion, and the other end of which is attached to a second of the sides of the internal bag portion, wherein, in the closed, transport configuration of the garment carrier, the single handle, strap or yoke is accessible from above the garment carrier or from the side of the garment carrier.

10. The garment carrier of claim 1, comprising: a first closure mechanism component which is affixed to one end of the external side of the garment bag portion, and a second closure mechanism component which is affixed to the other end of the external side of the garment bag portion, wherein, in the closed, transport configuration of the garment carrier, the first and second closure mechanism components are configured to engage and hold the garment carrier in the closed, transport configuration.

11. The garment carrier of claim 1, comprising: a gusset disposed along at least a portion of peripheral edges of the internal side and the external side.

12. The garment carrier of claim 1, comprising: one or more securing mechanisms disposed inside the storage pocket of the garment bag portion for securing one or more garments that are placed inside the garment carrier.

13. The garment carrier of claim 1, wherein the external garment bag portion does not use a rigid portion to define the base of support.

14. The garment carrier of claim 1, wherein the external garment bag portion does not use a supplemental panel to define the base of support.

15. The garment carrier of claim 1, wherein the reversible closure of the external garment bag comprises a zipper.

16. The garment carrier of claim 1, wherein the internal bag portion is substantially box-shaped.

17. The garment carrier of claim 1, wherein the external garment bag portion is substantially envelope-shaped.

Description

DRAWINGSFIGURES

(1) FIG. 1 is a perspective view of the essential elements of the garment carrier in the open configuration.

(2) FIG. 2 is a perspective view of the internal securing features of garment carrier, again in the open configuration.

(3) FIG. 3 is a perspective view of the garment carrier in the open position illustrating additional storage areas and extra features.

(4) FIG. 4 is a perspective view of the garment carrier in the partially closed position.

(5) FIG. 5 is a perspective view of the garment carrier in the closed position.

(6) FIG. 6 is a perspective view on the garment carrier in the closed and reversibly sealed position.

REFERENCE NUMERALS

(7) 100 elongated pouch 102 flexible panels 103 common edges 104 first sheet 105 second sheet 106 common peripheral edges 107 main storage cavity 108 plackets 109 closure 110 carrying means 111 internal bands 112 hooking loop 113 securing apparatus 114 internal pockets 115 pocket openings 116 reversible closures 117 optional panels 118 secondary storage cavity 119 secondary carrying means 120 flexible sides 121 supplementary elastic straps or flexible pockets 122 base of support 123 external pockets 124 third carrying means 125 reversible closure 126 backpack-style straps 127 supplementary closing panels

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

(8) FIG. 1 is a perspective view illustrating the basis of the present invention, from here on referred to as the elongated pouch (100). The elongated pouch is constructed through the assembly of a multiplicity of flexible panels (102) and is generally rectangular in shape. These flexible panels may be fabric or plastic or other flexible or semi-rigid material. In the preferred embodiment the flexible panels are sewn, bound or adhered together along their common edges (103) to create the two halves of the elongated pouch. These two halves, defined by the assembly of flexible panels (102), define the two sheets of the elongated pouch (100), from here on referred to as the first sheet (104) and the second sheet (105). The first and second sheets (104 & 105) are substantially bound together along their common peripheral edges (106) to form the elongated pouch (100), again, as illustrated in FIG. 1.

(9) The area between these two connected sheets (104 & 105), which are now substantially connected along the common peripheral edges (106), is considered the main storage cavity (107)see FIG. 2 for illustration. This cavity defines a volume for storage as well as the internal and external surfaces of the elongated pouch (100).

(10) Access to the inside of the main storage cavity (107) of the elongated pouch (100) is created via plackets (108) or other style of openings or voids. These openings may be temporarily sealed using a variety of closure types for example zippers, velcro or the like, from here on referred to as a closure (109).

(11) Additional plackets (108) may be found in multiple locations on the invention to provide convenience to the user during packing or to provide access to the inside cavity via any portion of the elongated pouch (100).

(12) A multiplicity of straps, handles or other carrying means (110) are attached to the elongated pouch which allows the elongated pouch, with its contents, to fold, in on itself, into what is referred to as the closed position (see FIG. 5) and to be transported ergonomically by a user.

(13) FIG. 2 is a perspective view of the elongated pouch (100) illustrating how the user can install and access items within the main storage cavity (107) via plackets (108) as well as some of the preferred internal securing features. The main storage cavity (107) can be bifurcated or divided in other ways using additional panels to define desired compartments.

(14) Internal bands (111), straps or other style of securing apparatus are found in the main storage cavity (107) and are used to secure and tether travel items during transport. The internal bands are for optional use when the garments are stored within the main storage cavity (107). The internal bands (111) do not impede or interfere with the packing of garments and will not wrinkle or crease the garments, but may be of assistance at the users discretion.

(15) In cases when garments are longer than the elongated pouch (100), garments maybe turned over by passing the garments under the internal bands (111) of the user's choosing and then laid over for the bands for storage and transport without creasing.

(16) The hooking loop (112) represents a means to secure an additional hanging or securing apparatus supplied by the user.

(17) FIG. 3 illustrates an alternative embodiment in which a hanger-type securing apparatus (113) is installed as an additional mechanism for securing garments. The securing apparatus (113), is made of a rigid or semi-rigid material. A portion may be curved to retain and support the shoulder portion of garments such as shirts and dresses. A void or opening in the securing apparatus (113) may exist to accommodate pants-style garments. The securing apparatus may be attached or removably attached to one of the sheets (104, 105) within the main storage cavity (107) in a manner that allows the securing apparatus to hinge and allows for the installation of garments. The securing apparatus (113) should be installed in a location which will not subject the user to its rigid portions.

(18) One or more internal bags (114) may be included for the storage of additional travel items. In some embodiments, the internal bags (114) can be substantially boxed-shaped and disposed in the area adjacent to the first sheet (104). For example, in the depicted embodiment the substantially boxed-shape internal bag (114) is defined by a top side (130), a bottom side (131), and four side sides, including three side sides (132a), (132b), and (132c) that are visible in the depicted arrangement, and a fourth side that is opposite to side (132b) but that is not visible in the depicted arrangement because it is adjacent to the first sheet (104). The internal bags (114) are accessible via plackets or other forms of pocket openings (115) and may include zippers, velcro or other types of reversible closures (116). The contents of the internal bags (114) may be accessed when the elongated pouch (100) is in the open, closing (partially open), or closed positions.

(19) Also, shown are optional panels (117) which may be incorporated into the sides of the elongated pouch (100) to increase the volume and capacity within the main storage cavity (107). These optional panels (117) may be installed such what when not in use they reside compactly with elongated pouch (100).

(20) FIG. 4 illustrates the invention in the closing position, this is the position that the invention passes through as it is transformed from the open position to the closed position and visa versa.

(21) The area between the first sheet (104) becomes the secondary storage cavity (118) when the invention is in the closed or closing position.

(22) A secondary set of carrying means to provide carrying options for the user, from here on referred to as the secondary carrying means (119).

(23) The flexible sides (120) attached to the common peripheral edges to secure the garments. These panels are optional and serve as one means for providing security and closure to the invention.

(24) Supplementary elastic straps or flexible pockets (121) are incorporated to secure or contain personal items such as shoes, swimsuits or hairdryers.

(25) FIG. 5 illustrates the base of support (122) which becomes manifest in the closed position. It is this base of support (122) which helps to provide wide curves to the garments while in this configuration rather than sharp, crease-causing folds because in some embodiments at least the first sheet (104) forms a generally radiused portion corresponding to the base of support (122). In the closed position, the bottom side (131) of the internal bags (114) is disposed adjacent to the generally radiused portion of the first sheet (104). This base of support (122) also reduces the overall length of the invention when in the closed position. This base of support (122) contributes to the self-supporting aspect of the invention. Also illustrated are the flexible sides (120) in their closed configurations. Also illustrated are external pockets (123) for additional storage, the carrying means (110), the reversible closure (116), and an example of an optional third carrying means (124).

(26) FIG. 6 a perspective view on the elongated pouch apparatus in the closed and sealed position. The invention may be closed using a reversible closure (125) and may contain supplementary closing panels (127) for added security. Also illustrated are optional backpack-style straps (126).

(27) It must also be understood that the detailed description which has preceded has only been given as an example and that it in no way limits the scope of the invention as defined in the appended claims.

CONCLUSIONS, RAMIFICATIONS, AND SCOPE

(28) Accordingly, the reader will see that the ergonomic garment carrier of this invention can be used to pack and carry important garments easily and ergonomically. Additionally this invention addresses many of the modern travel complications while also providing a new option for many types of travelers who have not had their travel needs met. Specifically, this invention addresses the need to transport a garments of importance, along with other travel items in a carry-all piece of luggage. This is more important now given that people are traveling on shorter trips, but more frequently.

(29) Although the description above contains many specificities, these should not be construed as limiting the scope of the invention but as merely providing illustrations of some of the presently preferred embodiments of this invention. For example, the garment carrier may be elliptical in shape; access to the main cavity may be through the seams or ends; the mechanism for retaining the carrier in the closed position may be elastic, etc.

(30) Thus the scope of the invention should be determined by the appended claims and their legal equivalents, rather than by the examples given.