Abstract:
Authentic dirt shirts and bags systems may comprise a novel line of authentically worn-appearing and sullied sports apparel which may include, but not limited to, sports jerseys and uniforms, athletic shirts, caps, tote bags, and other athletic gear and sporting apparel. In one embodiment, authentic dirt shirts and bags may comprise a dirty baseball uniform depicting a team logo and player number. Further, the dirty baseball uniform may comprise for example a slide streak which may be sprayed onto the fabric with treated color dye.

Description:
CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION 
       [0001]    The present application is related to and claims priority from prior provisional application Ser. No. 61/409,958, filed Nov. 3, 2010, which application is incorporated herein by reference. 
     
    
     COPYRIGHT NOTICE 
       [0002]    A portion of the disclosure of this patent document contains material which is subject to copyright protection. The copyright owner has no objection to the facsimile reproduction by anyone of the patent document or the patent disclosure, as it appears in the Patent and Trademark Office patent file or records, but otherwise reserves all copyright rights whatsoever. 37 CFR 1.71(d). 
       BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
       [0003]    The following includes information that may be useful in understanding the present invention(s). It is not an admission that any of the information provided herein is prior art, or material, to the presently described or claimed inventions, or that any publication or document that is specifically or implicitly referenced is prior art. 
         [0004]    1. Field of the Invention 
         [0005]    The present invention relates generally to the field of sports and athletic apparel and more specifically relates to a novel line of sports and athletic apparel which may appear to be authentically worn and dirty. 
         [0006]    2. Description of the Related Art 
         [0007]    Many sports fans enjoy purchasing and donning sports apparel in support of their favorite player or preferred team. For example, baseball fans may purchase a brand new baseball jersey depicting one of their favorite players which they may wear to live games. Wearing baseball jerseys, shorts, and other apparel is a way for sports fans to feel more connected to their “home team” and to support the sport they enjoy watching. 
         [0008]    Typically, a uniform or jersey as used in sports is a shirt worn by a member of a sports organization and conventionally depicts the athlete&#39;s last name and team number in addition to a team logo or insignia. These uniforms frequently become soiled during a game when athletes dive, slide, and otherwise make contact with the playing surface. 
         [0009]    A baseball uniform is a type of uniform worn by baseball players. Most baseball uniforms have the names and uniform numbers of players who wear them, usually on the backs of the uniforms to distinguish players from one other. Baseball shirts (jerseys), shoes, socks, caps, and glove are parts of baseball uniforms. Many traditional uniforms have different logos and colors to tell which team is which the uniforms may also worn to identify the two teams and officials apart. However, sports jersey and other apparel are typically sold clean and unsoiled. A sports fan may wish to wear apparel that appears to be dirty and soiled to give the illusion that the apparel has been broken in and “played” in. 
         [0010]    Various attempts have been made to solve the above-mentioned problems such as those found in U.S. Pat No. 5,029,343 to Wade A. McIntyre; U.S. Pat. No. 6,702,861 to Stanley Trask et al, U.S. Pat. No. 7,427,299 to Kris T. Ziakas; U.S. Pat. No. 4,997,450 to Lynne A. Olson et al; U.S. Pub. No. 2011/0047669 to Chad Carr; and U.S. Pub. No. 2004/0083529 to Trenton L. Tate. This prior art is representative of sports and athletic apparel. None of the above inventions and patents, taken either singly or in combination, is seen to describe the invention as claimed. 
         [0011]    Ideally, sports and athletic apparel should give the look and feel of authentic play, yet, would operate reliably and be manufactured at a modest expense. Thus, a need exists for a reliable authentic dirt shirts and bags systems to provide an additional souvenir option for sports fans who wish to wear sports apparel that appear authentically dirty and worn, and to avoid the above-mentioned problems. 
       BRIEF SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
       [0012]    In view of the foregoing disadvantages inherent in the known sports apparel art, the present invention provides a novel authentic dirt shirts and bags system. The general purpose of the present invention, which will be described subsequently in greater detail, is to provide a novel line of sports and athletic apparel which may appear to be authentically worn and dirty. The present invention, which will be discussed in greater detail provides a new and unique line of sports apparel which may be stained and dirtied using authentic dirt or soil from which the home team of the depicted player on the sports apparel hails. The novel line of sports athletic apparel of the present invention may be worn by a sports fan to provide protection against the elements during a sporting event while providing a unique aesthetical appeal to sports spectators and enthusiasts. 
         [0013]    The present invention may generally comprise an article of sports apparel which may depict a team logo representing the insignia of a sports organization. The apparel may comprise a baseball uniform or jersey, baseball shirt, cap, tote bag, or some other uniform or jersey of another sport (such as soccer and the like.) 
         [0014]    The article of sports apparel may purposely be stained via a dying process which may give the look and appearance that the apparel has been worn in a sporting activity. The article of sports apparel may also be useful as environmental protection from ambient elements while a fan is actively cheering and watching the sporting activity. Furthermore, the stain may be non-removably embedded into a fabric surface of the sports apparel such that it is not readily removable via a washing process. Additionally, the stain may comprise dirt which may have been removed from a stadium where a home team plays (as depicted by the team logo.) It is contemplated that a sports fan may be enticed to own a jersey that shares a piece of the stadium of the home team as a unique novelty item. In one embodiment, the stain comprises a colored dye comprising an aqueous solution which may further comprise a dirt-resembling-pigment. 
         [0015]    The present invention holds significant improvements and serves as authentic dirt shirts and bags systems. For purposes of summarizing the invention, certain aspects, advantages, and novel features of the invention have been described herein. It is to be understood that not necessarily all such advantages may be achieved in accordance with any one particular embodiment of the invention. Thus, the invention may be embodied or carried out in a manner that achieves or optimizes one advantage or group of advantages as taught herein without necessarily achieving other advantages as may be taught or suggested herein. The features of the invention which are believed to be novel are particularly pointed out and distinctly claimed in the concluding portion of the specification. These and other features, aspects, and advantages of the present invention will become better understood with reference to the following drawings and detailed description. 
     
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
         [0016]    The figures which accompany the written portion of this specification illustrate embodiments and method(s) of use for the present invention, authentic dirt shirts and bags systems, constructed and operative according to the teachings of the present invention. 
           [0017]      FIG. 1  shows a perspective view illustrating an authentic dirt shirts and bags systems comprising a dirty baseball jersey in an ‘in-use’ condition being worn by a user according to an embodiment of the present invention. 
           [0018]      FIG. 2  is a perspective view illustrating a dirty baseball shirt according to an embodiment of the present invention of  FIG. 1 . 
           [0019]      FIG. 3  is a rear perspective view illustrating a perspective view of the dirty baseball jersey according to an embodiment of the present invention of  FIG. 1 . 
           [0020]      FIG. 4  is a perspective view illustrating a method of spraying treated color dye to the dirty baseball jersey by the user depicting a slide streak according to an embodiment of the present invention of  FIG. 1 . 
           [0021]      FIG. 5A  is a front perspective view illustrating the authentic dirt shirts and bags systems comprising a tote bag according to an embodiment of the present invention of  FIG. 1 . 
           [0022]      FIG. 5B  is a front perspective view illustrating the authentic dirt shirts and bags systems comprising a cap according to an embodiment of the present invention of  FIG. 1 . 
           [0023]      FIG. 6  is a flowchart illustrating a method of use according to an embodiment of the present invention of  FIGS. 1-5 . 
           [0024]    The various embodiments of the present invention will hereinafter be described in conjunction with the appended drawings, wherein like designations denote like elements. 
       
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION 
       [0025]    As discussed above, embodiments of the present invention relate to an authentic dirt shirts and bags systems more particularly to novel line of sports and athletic apparel which may appear to be authentically worn and dirty. The novel line of sports athletic apparel of the present invention may be worn by a user to provide protection against the elements during a sporting event while providing a unique aesthetical appeal to sports fans. 
         [0026]    Embodiments of authentic dirt shirts and bags systems  100  may comprise an article of sports apparel comprising team logo  120 , wherein the article of sports apparel is purposely stained to give the look and appearance that the article of sports apparel has been worn in a sporting activity. Further, the article of sports apparel is useful as environmental protection from ambient elements while a fan is actively cheering and watching a sporting activity. The stain may preferably be non-removably embedded into a fabric surface of the sports apparel such that it is not removable via a washing process. Additionally, the dirt may comprise soil removed from a stadium where a home team plays that may be depicted by team logo  120 . The stain may comprise colored dye  125  whereby colored dye  125  may comprise an aqueous solution comprising a dirt-resembling-pigment. Such a dirt-resembling-pigment may be brown or tan in color. Furthermore, colored dye  125  may be used in combination with a mordant to improve the fastness of colored dye  125  to the sports apparel. 
         [0027]    It should be appreciated that sports apparel may comprise dirty baseball jersey  110 , dirty baseball shirt  200 , tote bag  500 , or cap  520  (as shown). Alternatively, authentic dirt shirts and bags systems  100  may comprise football jersey  590 , soccer jersey  594 , or other such athletic gear and apparel. It should be appreciated that football jersey  590 , soccer jersey  594 , or other athletic gear and apparel. 
         [0028]    Referring to the drawings by numerals of reference there is shown in  FIG. 1 , authentic dirt shirts and bags system  100  during ‘in-use’ condition  150 . In one embodiment of the present invention, authentic dirt shirts and bags system  100  may comprise dirty baseball jersey  110  being worn by user  140  while walking to baseball stadium  160  to watch a sporting event such as a baseball game. Dirty baseball jersey  110  may comprise a long-sleeve baseball shirt (or short sleeve) which may be treated with colored dye  125  thereby giving dirty baseball jersey  110  an appearance that dirty baseball jersey  110  has been authentically worn and aged as a result of the game of baseball. In such a manner, dirty baseball jersey  110  may appear similar to a baseball uniform as worn by a professional MLB baseball player during the game of baseball. 
         [0029]    In continuing to refer to  FIG. 1 , dirty baseball jersey  110  may comprise team logo  120  comprising a logo, symbol, or indicia depicting the logo of a baseball organization which may be stitched into the material of dirty baseball jersey  110 . It should be appreciated that dirty baseball jersey  110  may be manufactured depicting team logo  120  of any baseball organization based upon player popularity, current trends, or may be customized based on preference of user  140 . 
         [0030]    Referring now to  FIG. 2 , showing a perspective view illustrating an alternative embodiment of authentic dirt shirts and bags systems  100 . As shown, authentic dirt shirts and bags systems  100  may comprise dirty baseball shirt  200 . Dirty baseball shirt  200  may comprise a short-sleeved athletic shirt which may depict team logo  120 . In one embodiment, dirty baseball shirt  200  may be manufactured using knit fabric. Alternatively, dirty baseball shirt  200  may comprise cotton, nylon, wool, polyester, or synthetic fibers. 
         [0031]    In still referring to  FIG. 2 , dirty baseball shirt  200  may comprise colored dye  125  which may be non-washably embedded into the fabric thereby giving dirty baseball shirt  200  a worn and aged appearance. Furthermore, dirty baseball shirt  200  may comprise colored dye  125  which may be infused with authentic stadium soil  130 . In such a manner, user  140  may feel more connected to his or her favorite player, team, or sports organization because a piece of the stadium depicted by team logo  120  is embedded into the fabric of dirty baseball shirt  200 . 
         [0032]    Referring now to  FIG. 3 , illustrating a perspective view of authentic dirt shirts and bags systems  100  according to an embodiment of the present invention of  FIG. 1 . As shown, authentic dirt shirts and bags systems  100  may comprise dirty baseball jersey  110  which may comprise a long-sleeve baseball uniform. Dirty baseball jersey  110  may comprise slide streak  300  which may appear as if a baseball player has slid into a base. In such a manner, slide streak  300  may tend to increase the authentic appearance of dirty baseball jersey  110 . Dirty baseball jersey  110  may further comprise team logo  120 . It should be appreciated that team logo  120  may comprise a design, logo, or indicia representing any professional sports team&#39;s organization. 
         [0033]    As best seen in  FIGS. 1 &amp; 3 , authentic dirt shirts and bags systems  100  may comprise an article of sports apparel comprising dirty baseball jersey  110 , wherein dirty baseball jersey  110  comprises a team logo  120 , and wherein dirty baseball jersey  110  is purposely stained to give the look and appearance that dirty baseball jersey  110  has been worn in a sporting activity. The stain may be non-removably embedded into a fabric surface of dirty baseball jersey  110  such that the stain is not removable via a washing process. The stain may comprise dirt removed from a stadium where a home team represented by team logo  120  plays, and the said stain may further comprise colored dye  125  combined with an aqueous solution to create the stain. It should be noted that colored dye  125  may be used in combination with a mordant to improve the fastness of colored dye  125  to dirty baseball jersey  110 . It should further be appreciated that dirty baseball jersey  110  may be useful as environmental protection from ambient elements while user  140  is actively cheering and watching a sporting activity. 
         [0034]    In referring now to  FIG. 4 , illustrating a method of spraying treated color dye  410  during ‘in-use’ condition  450  to dirty baseball jersey  110 . In such a manner, treated color dye  410  may depict slide streak  300  according to an embodiment of the present invention of  FIGS. 1 &amp; 3 . As shown, slide streak  300 , may be created with use of spray can  405  which may contain treated color dye  410 . In one embodiment, treated color dye  410  may comprise an aqueous solution. It should be noted that treated color dye  410  may be applied to dirty baseball jersey  110  in combination with a mordant to improve the fastness of treated color dye  410  to dirty baseball jersey  110 . It should be noted that treated color dye  410  may comprise a natural dye, or alternatively a synthetic dye. Preferably, treated color dye  410  comprises a pigment which may comprise a brown or tan color. In such a manner, treated color dye  410  may give dirty baseball jersey  110  the appearance that dirty baseball jersey  110  has been authentically worn over a period of time and is soiled with authentic stadium soil  130  depicted by team logo  120 . Once slide streak  300  is applied to dirty baseball jersey  110 , it may be hung from drying rack  425  in order for treated color dye  410  to properly set into the fabric. The dying process may be performed manually (as shown) or non-manually. Iron-oxide may be used to provide appearance of slide streak  300 . 
         [0035]    It has also been contemplated that the various embodiments of authentic dirt shirts and bags systems  100  may be colored and stained via the technique of azoic dyeing, in which an insoluble azo dye is produced directly onto or within the fiber. This may be achieved by treating a fibre with both diazoic and coupling components. With suitable adjustment of dyebath conditions the two components react to produce the required insoluble azo dye. This technique of dyeing is unique, in that the final color is controlled by the choice of the diazoic and coupling components. 
         [0036]    When treated color dye  410  is used in combination with mordant, the fastness of the dye against water, light, and perspiration is significantly improved. The choice of mordant is very important as different mordants can change the final color significantly. Most natural dyes are mordant dyes and there is therefore a large literature base describing dyeing techniques. The most important mordant dyes are the synthetic mordant dyes, or chrome dyes, used for wool; these comprise some 30% of dyes used for wool, and are especially useful for black and navy shades. The mordant, potassium dichromate, is applied as an after-treatment which may be used in preferred embodiments of the present invention. 
         [0037]    With regards to authentic dirt shirts and bags systems  100  comprising dirty baseball jersey  110 , it should be noted that conventionally each individual baseball player wears a home jersey and an away jersey. The home jersey is typically lighter in color (ie. white) and the away jersey is dark in color. In such a manner, dirty baseball jersey  110  may be manufactured in both a home style and away style and stain may be darkened or lightened to be suitably visible. Dirty baseball shirt  200  and tote bag  500  in combination may comprise a kit for sale. Kit may also comprise other items of sporting garments. 
         [0038]    In referring now to  FIG. 5A , showing a front perspective view illustrating authentic dirt shirts and bags system  100  comprising tote bag  500  according to an embodiment of the present invention. As shown, tote bag  500  may appear authentically worn and dirty as a result of colored dye  125  infused in the fabric of tote bag  500 . Further, tote bag  500  may comprise team logo  120  on at least one exterior surface. It should be appreciated that tote bag  500  may be manufactured depicting team logo  120  of any sports organization based upon team popularity, current trends, or may be customized based on preference of user  140 . It should be appreciated that trademark use permission should be sought for producing the present invention when using team logos with such protection. 
         [0039]    In referring now to  FIG. 5B , showing a front perspective view illustrating authentic dirt shirts and bags system  100  comprising cap  520  according to an embodiment of the present invention. As shown, cap  520  may comprise a baseball cap which may appear authentically worn and dirty as a result of colored dye  125  infused in the fabric of cap  520 . It should be appreciated that cap  520  may be manufactured depicting team logo  120  of any sports organization based upon team popularity, current trends, or may be customized based on preference of user  140 . 
         [0040]    In alternative embodiments of authentic dirt shirts and bags systems  100  which may not be shown, the novel line of apparel may comprise football jersey, soccer jersey, or other athletic gear and apparel. It should be appreciated that football jersey, soccer jersey, or other athletic gear and apparel may comprise various colors, player names, and team logo  120  depicting indicia depicting a variety of professional sports organizations. 
         [0041]      FIG. 6  shows flowchart  650  illustrating method of use  600  of authentic dirt shirts and bags systems  100  according to a preferred embodiment of the present invention of  FIGS. 1-5 . Method of use  600  may comprise the steps of: step one  601  applying (manually or non-manually) colored dye  125  comprising authentic stadium soil  130  to authentic dirt shirts and bags systems  100  apparel, step two  602  spraying slide streak  300  to dirty baseball jersey  110  via spray can  405  (or other), and step three  603  drying dirty baseball jersey  100  using drying rack  425 . 
         [0042]    It should be noted that the steps described in the method of use can be carried out in many different orders according to user preference. Upon reading this specification, it should be appreciated that, under appropriate circumstances, considering such issues as design preference, user preferences, marketing preferences, cost, structural requirements, available materials, technological advances, etc., other methods of use arrangements such as, for example, different orders within above-mentioned list, elimination or addition of certain steps, including or excluding certain maintenance steps, etc., may be sufficient. 
         [0043]    The embodiments of the invention described herein are exemplary and numerous modifications, variations and rearrangements can be readily envisioned to achieve substantially equivalent results, all of which are intended to be embraced within the spirit and scope of the invention. Further, the purpose of the foregoing abstract is to enable the U.S. Patent and Trademark Office and the public generally, and especially the scientist, engineers and practitioners in the art who are not familiar with patent or legal terms or phraseology, to determine quickly from a cursory inspection the nature and essence of the technical disclosure of the application.