Abstract:
The present invention is directed to a tool holder convertible between storage and display configurations and a method of manufacture therefor. In one embodiment, the tool holder includes a flexible wrapper including first and second parallel major and minor edges and a fold line located between the first and second major edges. The first minor edge includes a first notch proximate a corner thereof. The tool holder also includes a first fastener including first and second portions located proximate the first and second minor edges, respectively, that is alignable in opposition to allow a coupling of the first and second minor edges.

Description:
CROSS-REFERENCE TO PROVISIONAL APPLICATION 
   This Application claims priority from a provisional application entitled “Convertible Pouch,” to Perry, et al, Ser. No. 60/394,617, filed on Jul. 9, 2002, which is commonly owned with the present invention and incorporated herein by reference as if reproduced herein in its entirety. 

   TECHNICAL FIELD OF THE INVENTION 
   The present invention is directed in general, to a tool holder configuration and, more specifically, to a tool holder convertible between storage and display configurations and a method of manufacture therefor. 
   BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
   Technicians are constantly confronted with the need to store and protect the tools of their trade. To protect their investment from damage and loss while simultaneously trying to keep them clean and readily available, various types of tool kits and tool holders have been developed. Traditionally, tools have been kept in a conventional tool box. A conventional tool box, however, does not prevent abrasion between the tools and the box interior or other tools in the box and, as such, can scratch or break the tools and does not contribute toward keeping the tools clean and in good condition. A conventional tool box for delicate tools (e.g., brushes) is undesirable. 
   To improve protection for the tools and to keep them in an organized fashion, various roll-up tool bags have also been designed. A conventional, roll-up tool bag includes a plurality of pockets with each pocket designed to receive an individual tool. The roll-up tool bag is typically made of a soft, flexible material that enables the bag containing the tools to be rolled up for convenient, compact storage or transportation when the tools are not in use. Securing the tool bag in its rolled-up configuration is usually accomplished with circumferential straps or ties, thereby allowing for varying thickness of the bag because of a varying number of tools therein. The thickness of the rolled-up tool bag is dictated by the tools contained therein and the length/number of pockets of the tool bag. 
   Although roll-up tool bags help to prevent direct contact between the tools and aid in keeping the tools clean, a major drawback to conventional tool bags has been encountered. Tool accessibility is generally accomplished with a conventional, roll-up tool bag unrolled and laid flat upon a horizontal surface, thereby occupying a significant amount of work space. Alternatively, the tool bag may be attached to some vertical surface with hanging hooks, magnets or the like if a suitable surface is available. However, in some trades, it would be desirable to have the tools at least partially displayed in a vertical fashion to facilitate selection of a desired tool. One such trade is cosmetology, wherein a cosmetologist could benefit by more quickly selecting a desired applicator, typically a brush, if all of the available applicators were vertically displayed in a holder that takes up less work surface. Additionally, the cosmetologist is usually confronted with limited work space upon which to place their tools. 
   Accordingly, what is needed in the art is a flexible, roll-up tool holder that protects the tools when closed, and enables conversion to a display configuration that takes up less work space while conveniently presenting the tools for easy access. 
   SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
   To address the above-discussed deficiencies of the prior art, the present invention provides a tool holder including a flexible wrapper and a first fastener. In one embodiment, the flexible wrapper includes first and second parallel major and minor edges and a fold line located between the first and second major edges. The first minor edge includes a first notch proximate a corner thereof. The first fastener includes first and second portions located proximate the first and second minor edges, respectively, that are alignable in opposition to allow a coupling of the first and second minor edges. 
   The tool holder of the present invention is convertible between a storage and display configuration. The tool holder, therefore, provides dual functionality in a compact and conveniently deployed package. The tool holder is employable in many applications including the field of cosmetology wherein flexibility in tool storage and presentation is very beneficial. 
   In another aspect, the present invention provides a method of manufacturing a tool holder. The method includes providing a flexible wrapper including first and second parallel major and minor edges, and forming a fold line between the first and second major edges. The method also includes forming a first notch proximate a corner of the first minor edge. The method still further includes locating a first portion of a first fastener proximate the first minor edge, and locating a second portion of the first fastener proximate the second minor edge. 
   The foregoing has outlined preferred and alternative features of the present invention so that those skilled in the art may better understand the detailed description of the invention that follows. Additional features of the invention will be described hereinafter that form the subject of the claims of the invention. Those skilled in the art should appreciate that they can readily use the disclosed conception and specific embodiment as a basis for designing or modifying other structures for carrying out the same purposes of the present invention. Those skilled in the art should also realize that such equivalent constructions do not depart from the spirit and scope of the invention. 

   
     BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
     For a more complete understanding of the present invention, reference is now made to the following descriptions taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings, in which: 
       FIG. 1  illustrates a plan view of one embodiment of a tool holder constructed according to the principles of the present invention; 
       FIG. 2  illustrates a plan view of an outer face of the tool holder of  FIG. 1 ; 
       FIG. 3  illustrates an isometric view of the tool holder of  FIG. 1  in a rolled, storage configuration; 
       FIG. 4  illustrates a plan view of the tool holder of  FIG. 1  with the outer face of a second section thereof folded over and in contact with the outer face of a first section thereof; 
       FIG. 5  illustrates an isometric view of the tool holder of  FIG. 1  in a free-standing, substantially circular display configuration; 
       FIG. 6  illustrates a plan view of an alternative embodiment of a tool holder constructed according to the principles of the present invention; 
       FIG. 7  illustrates a plan view of an outer face of the tool holder of  FIG. 6 ; 
       FIG. 8  illustrates an isometric view of the tool holder of  FIG. 6  in a rolled, storage configuration; 
       FIG. 9  illustrates a plan view of the tool holder of  FIG. 6  with the outer face of a first section thereof folded over and in contact with the outer face of a second section thereof; and 
       FIG. 10  illustrates an isometric view of the tool holder of  FIG. 6  in a free-standing, substantially circular display configuration. 
   

   DETAILED DESCRIPTION 
   Referring initially to  FIG. 1 , illustrated is a plan view of one embodiment of a tool holder  100  constructed according to the principles of the present invention. The tool holder  100  includes a flexible wrapper  110 , a pocket or plurality of pockets (one of which is designated  120 ), and first and second fasteners. While two fasteners are illustrated, it should be clear to those skilled in the art that only a single fastener is necessary to comply with the principles of the present invention. The flexible wrapper  110  has an inner face  111  and an outer face (see  FIG. 2 ). The tool holder  100  is shown in  FIG. 1  as it would appear laid open upon a horizontal surface. 
   The flexible wrapper  110  is constructed of a sheet-like material, e.g., leather, vinyl, etc., and is preferably substantially rectangular in shape (although other shapes are well within the broad scope of the present invention). The flexible wrapper  110  has first and second parallel major edges  113 ,  114  (synonymously referred to as first and second major edges), first and second parallel minor edges  116 ,  117  (synonymously referred to as first and second minor edges), and a fold line (e.g., a centerline)  115  between the first and second major edges  113 ,  114 . While the fold line  115  is illustrated and hereinafter described as a centerline between the first and second major edges  113 ,  114 , those skilled in the art understand that it is not necessary to locate the fold line  115  equidistant between the first and second major edges  113 ,  114 . It should also be understood that for the purposes of this discussion that the terms fold line and centerline may be used interchangeably. The first minor edge  116  has a first notch  118   a  therein proximate a corner  119  thereof. The first minor edge  116  also has an indention  116   a  formed therein from about the first notch  118   a  to about the fold line  115 . For the purpose of this discussion, an indention is a portion of an edge that has been cut away to form an indented edge. 
   The first and second fasteners include first portions  131   a ,  132   a , and second portions  131   b ,  132   b , respectively. The first portions  131   a ,  132   a  of the first and second fasteners are spaced apart and coupled to the flexible wrapper  110  proximate the first minor edge  116 . The second portions  131   b ,  132   b  of the first and second fasteners are spaced apart and coupled to the flexible wrapper  110  proximate the second minor edge  117 . In a preferred embodiment, the first portions  131   a ,  132   a  are male (stud) portions of a conventional snap fastener wherein the stud portion extends from the outer face (see  FIG. 2 ). The back side of the first portions  131   a ,  132   a  are shown in  FIG. 1 . Similarly, the second portions  131   b ,  132   b  include female (receiving) portions of the snap fasteners with the receiving portion accessible on the inner face  111  of the flexible wrapper  110 . 
   In an alternative embodiment, the first portions  131   a ,  132   a  may be hook portions of a Velcro® fastener and the second portions  131   b ,  132   b ,  133   b  may be pile portions of the Velcro® fastener. Of course, the hook and pile portions may be interchanged while remaining within the scope of the present invention. Similarly, other types of fasteners, e.g., magnetic, clasps, buttons, etc. may also by used. Those skilled in the art are familiar with the conventional methods used to couple or mount such fasteners to the flexible wrapper  110 ′. When the flexible wrapper  110  is rolled up in a storage configuration, the first portions  131   a ,  132   a  and second portions  131   b ,  132   b  are configured to couple the first and second minor edges  116 ,  117  together, wherein the second minor edge  117  overlaps the first minor edge  116 , thereby hiding the indention  116   a  and the first notch  118   a.    
   The pockets  120  are affixed to the inner face  111  by sewing or with a suitable adhesive. In a preferred embodiment, the pockets  120  may include a flexible, sheet-like material compatible with the sheet-like material of the flexible wrapper  110 . Of course, other materials including a flexible mesh or transparent flexible material may also be used. Even a flexible, stretchable material may be used. The pockets  120  are affixed to the inner face  111  of the flexible wrapper  110  by conventional means such as sewing, adhesive, etc. Those skilled in the art are familiar with methods of affixing one piece of flexible material to another piece of flexible material, whether they are similar or dissimilar. 
   The number and size of the pockets  120  is dictated by the type and number of tools desired to be stored or displayed. The pockets  120  have open ends (one of which is designated  123 ) aligned proximate the fold line  115  and closed ends (one of which is designated  124 ) aligned proximate the second major edge  114 . For illustrative purposes, a variety of tools (one of which is designated  140 ) are shown in conjunction with the tool holder  100 . The open ends  123  of the pockets  120  are configured to each receive at least a portion of each of the tools  140 . In a preferred embodiment, the pockets  120  may number five in order to form a convenient size for the tool holder  100  when rolled for storage or formed as a display. However, those skilled in the art will realize that the number of pockets  120  may vary above or below five as required. 
   The tools  140  may be virtually any tool, e.g., a screwdriver, a nutdriver, a wrench, a brush, a pliers, a scraper, a knife, a pen, a pencil, a scalpel, etc. Of course, there may be more than one of a particular type of tool, e.g., a variety of screwdrivers, etc. In one embodiment, the tools  140  are a variety of cosmetic brushes or artist&#39;s brushes. In a preferred embodiment, the tool holder  100  is a cosmetologist&#39;s tool holder holding tools such as a brush, lipstick, eyeliner, a mascara pencil, or a spatula. Of course, the exact tools will be dictated by the needs of the user. In another embodiment, the tool holder  100  is an artist&#39;s tool holder holding tools such as brushes, drawing pencils, charcoal sticks, etc. Those skilled in the art will recognize that both cosmetologists and artists use a variety of brushes and other tools to accomplish their respective arts. 
   The fold line  115  of the tool holder  100  defines a first section  141  and a second section  142  of the flexible wrapper  110 . In the illustrated embodiment, the first section  141  accommodates the pockets  120  affixed to the inner face  111 . The second section  142  accommodates a purse  143  affixed to the inner face  111  of the second section  142 . The purse  143  has a closure  144  along at least a portion of the first major edge  113 . The purse  143  may be used to hold smaller objects or tools that are not suitable for storage in any of the pockets  120 . The closure  144  may be a zipper, plastic zip seal, matching Velcro® portions or similar closures. 
   Referring now to  FIG. 2 , illustrated is a plan view of the outer face  112  of the tool holder  100  of  FIG. 1 . Shown are the covers of the second (e.g., female) portions  131   b ,  132   b  and the first (e.g., male or stud) portions  131   a ,  132   a  of the first and second fasteners, respectively. The flexible wrapper  110  may further include a logotype  201  to identify, for example, a manufacturer of the tool holder  100  or the tools contained therein. The second portions  131   b ,  132   b  and their respective first portions  131   a ,  132   a  are spaced apart along their respective minor edges  116 ,  117  by substantially the same distances to further facilitate a coupling of the first and second minor edges  116 ,  117  when overlapped. The fold line  115  divides the first section  141  from the second section  142 . The fold line  115  allows the outer surface  112  of the first section  141  to be folded over to contact the outer surface  112  of the second section  142 . 
   Referring now to  FIG. 3 , illustrated is an isometric view of the tool holder  100  of  FIG. 1  in a rolled, storage configuration. Shown are the covers of the second portions  131   b ,  132   b  of the first and second fasteners that couple the first and second minor edges  116 ,  117  together when overlapped. The logotype  201  is visible in this configuration. 
   Referring now to  FIG. 4 , illustrated is a plan view of the tool holder  100  of  FIG. 1  with the outer face  112  of the second section  142  folded over and in contact with the outer face  112  of the first section  141 . The first portion  131   a  of the first fastener is shown to be in alignment with the first notch  118   a . The pockets  120  with an open end  123  and closed end  124  are clearly visible. The second portion  131   b  of the first fastener is shown in phantom and aligned to couple to the first portion  131   a  when the tool holder  100  is rolled to couple the first and second minor edges  116 ,  117  together in an overlapped configuration. In the preferred embodiment shown, the tools  140  are shown as they would appear having been inserted into the open end  123  of the pockets  120 . 
   Referring now to  FIG. 5 , illustrated is an isometric view of the tool holder  100  of  FIG. 1  in a free-standing, substantially circular display configuration. The first major edge  113  is shown free standing upon a surface  501 . It can be readily seen that the free-standing display of  FIG. 5  consumes a significantly smaller amount of space as a free-standing, substantially circular display stand than the unrolled holder displayed in  FIG. 1 . The back side of the first portion  131   a  of the first fastener is shown as it couples the first and second minor edges  116 ,  117  together in an overlapped configuration. The indention  116   a  is configured so that the first minor edge  116  in that area does not protrude from under the folded-over first minor edge  116  when the tool holder  100  is in this configuration. 
   Furthermore, the first notch  118   a  allows the first and second portions  131   a ,  131   b  of the first fastener to align in opposition for coupling. Shown are the tools  140  as they would appear extending from the open end  123  of the pockets  120 . Those skilled in the art will readily understand the convenience that the present invention provides by being a free-standing holder of tools, e.g., cosmetic brushes, that extend from and are clearly visible as to size or type when compared to a conventional tool holder that must lie flat upon a work surface. 
   Referring now to  FIG. 6 , illustrated is a plan view of an alternate embodiment of a tool holder  600  constructed according to the principles of the present invention. The tool holder  600  includes a flexible wrapper  610 , a pocket or plurality of pockets (one of which is designated  620 ), first, second and third fasteners, and a first logotype  641 . While three fasteners are illustrated, it should be clear to those skilled in the art that only a single fastener is necessary to comply with the principles of the present invention. The flexible wrapper  610  has an inner face  611  and an outer face (see  FIG. 7 ). The tool holder  600  is shown in  FIG. 6  as it would appear laid open upon a horizontal surface. While not shown in order to enhance the clarity of other features in this embodiment, those skilled in the art will realize that a purse analogous to the purse  143  of the tool holder  100  illustrated in  FIG. 1  may likewise be employed in this embodiment. 
   The flexible wrapper  610  is constructed of a sheet-like material, e.g., leather, and is preferably substantially rectangular in shape (although other shapes are well within the broad scope of the present invention). The flexible wrapper  610  has first and second parallel major edges  613 ,  614  (synonymously referred to as first and second major edges), first and second parallel minor edges  616 ,  617  (synonymously referred to as first and second minor edges), and a fold line (e.g., centerline)  615  between the first and second major edges  613 ,  614 . While the fold line  615  is illustrated and hereinafter described as a centerline between the first and second major edges  613 ,  614 , those skilled in the art understand that it is not necessary to locate the fold line  615  equidistant between the first and second major edges  613 ,  614 . It should also be understood that for the purposes of this discussion that the terms fold line and centerline may be used interchangeably. The first minor edge  616  has a first notch  618   a  therein proximate a corner  619  thereof and a second notch  618   b  therein proximate the fold line  615 . 
   The first, second and third fasteners include first portions  631   a ,  632   a ,  633   a  and second portions  631   b ,  632   b ,  633   b , respectively. The first minor edge  616  also has an indention  616   a  formed therein from about the first notch  618   a  to about the second notch  618   b . The first portions  631   a ,  632   a ,  633   a  of the first, second and third fasteners are spaced apart and coupled to the flexible wrapper  610  proximate the first minor edge  616 . The second portions  631   b ,  632   b ,  633   b  of the first, second and third fasteners are spaced apart and coupled to the flexible wrapper  610  proximate the second minor edge  617 . In a preferred embodiment, the first portions  631   a ,  632   a ,  633   a  are male (stud) portions of a conventional snap fastener. The back side of the first portions  631   a ,  632   a ,  633   a  are shown in  FIG. 6 . Similarly, the second portions  631   b ,  632   b ,  633   b  include female (receiving) portions of the snap fasteners. 
   In an alternative embodiment, the first portions  631   a ,  632   a ,  633   a  may be hook portions of a Velcro® fastener and the second portions  631   b ,  632   b ,  633   b  may be pile portions of the Velcro® fastener. Of course, the hook and pile portions may be interchanged while remaining within the scope of the present invention. Similarly, other types of fasteners, e.g., magnetic, clasps, buttons, etc. may also by used. Those skilled in the art are familiar with the conventional methods used to couple such fasteners to the flexible wrapper  610 . When the flexible wrapper  610  is rolled up, the first portions  631   a ,  632   a ,  633   a  and second portions  631   b ,  632   b ,  633   b  are configured to couple the first and second minor edges  616 ,  617  together, wherein the second minor edge  617  overlaps the first minor edge  616 . 
   The pockets  620  are affixed to the inner face  611  by sewing or with a suitable adhesive. The pockets  620  have an open end  623  aligned proximate the fold line  615  and a closed end  624  aligned proximate the first major edge  614 . The open end  623  of the pockets  620  are configured to each receive at least a portion of a tool  640 . In a typical embodiment, the pockets  620  number five. However, those skilled in the art will realize that the number of pockets  620  may vary above or below five as required. The tool  640  may be virtually any tool, e.g., a screwdriver, a nutdriver, a wrench, a brush, a pair of pliers, a scraper, a knife, or a scalpel, etc. In a preferred embodiment, the tools  640  are a variety of cosmetic brushes or artist&#39;s brushes. Those skilled in the art will recognize that both cosmetologists and artists use a variety of brushes to accomplish their respective arts. 
   Referring now to  FIG. 7 , illustrated is a plan view of the outer face  612  of the tool holder  600  of  FIG. 6 . Shown are the covers of the second (e.g., female) portions  631   b ,  632   b ,  633   b  and the first (e.g., male) portions  631   a ,  632   a ,  633   a  of the first, second and third fasteners. The flexible wrapper  610  may further include a second logotype  701  to identify, for example, a manufacturer of the tool holder  600  or the tools  640  contained therein. The second portions  631   b ,  632   b ,  633   b  and their respective first portions  631   a ,  632   a ,  633   a  are spaced apart along their respective minor edges  616 ,  617  by substantially the same distances to further facilitate a coupling of the first and second minor edges  616 ,  617  when overlapped. The fold line  615  divides a first section  601  from a second section  602  and allows the first section  601  to be folded over and in contact with the second section  602 . 
   Referring now to  FIG. 8 , illustrated is an isometric view of the tool holder  600  of  FIG. 6  in a rolled, storage configuration. Shown are the covers of the second portions  631   b ,  632   b ,  633   b  of the first, second and third fasteners that couple the first and second minor edges  616 ,  617  together when overlapped. The second logotype  701  is visible in this configuration. 
   Referring now to  FIG. 9 , illustrated is a plan view of the tool holder  600  of  FIG. 6  with the outer face  612  of the first section  601  folded over and in contact with the outer face  612  of the second section  602 . The first portions  631   a ,  632   a  of the first and second fasteners are shown to be in alignment with the first notch  618   a  and the second notch  618   b , respectively. The pockets  620  with the open end  623  and closed end  624  are clearly visible. The second portions  631   b ,  632   b  of the first and second fasteners are shown in phantom and aligned to couple to the first portions  631   a ,  632   a  when the tool holder  600  is rolled to couple the first and second minor edges  616 ,  617  together in an overlapped configuration. In the preferred embodiment shown, the tools  640  are shown as they would appear having been inserted into the open end  623  of the pockets  620 . 
   Referring now to  FIG. 10 , illustrated is an isometric view of the tool holder  600  of  FIG. 6  in a free-standing, substantially circular display configuration. The first major edge  613  is shown free standing upon a surface  1001 . It can be readily seen that the free-standing display of  FIG. 10  consumes a significantly smaller amount of space than the unrolled holder of  FIG. 6 . The back side of the first portions  631   a ,  632   a  of the first and second fasteners are shown as they couple the first and second minor edges  616 ,  617  together in an overlapped configuration. The indention  616   a  is configured so that the first minor edge  616  in that area does not protrude from under the folded-over first minor edge  616  when the tool holder  600  is in this configuration. 
   Furthermore, the first notch  618   a  allows the first and second portions  631   a ,  631   b  of the first fastener to align in opposition while the second notch  618   b  allows the first and second portions  632   a ,  632   b  of the second fastener to align in opposition, so that the first and second portions  631   a ,  631   b  of the first fastener and the first and second portions  632   a ,  632   b  of the second fastener may be coupled. The first logotype  641  is visible in this configuration. Shown are the tools  640  as they would appear extending from the open end  623  of the pockets  620 . 
   Thus, a tool holder has been described that provides a convenient roll-up storage configuration for many tools that protects the tools. The tool holder is convertible to a free-standing configuration that makes the same tools readily available for selection while occupying a significantly smaller footprint than when unrolled as a conventional tool holder would be. 
   Although the present invention has been described in detail, those skilled in the art should understand that they can make various changes, substitutions and alterations herein without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention in its broadest form.