Abstract:
The present invention allows for a travel bag for clothing transport and storage which is portable and compact, enabling the business and non-business traveler to transport and store a small amount (e.g., a complete day&#39;s worth) of clothing in his/her briefcase, unhampered by the need to hand carry and/or account for an extra bag of luggage. The travel bag allows for separate holding structures for each type of article of clothing, assuring the traveler that the articles will remain in an unmixed state and thus permitting the traveler to readily access a particular piece of clothing without the necessity to unpack the other items.

Description:
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION  
         [0001]    1. Field of Invention  
           [0002]    The present invention relates to the field of containers, bags and apparatus used for transporting and storing clothing and accessories for the traveler, and in particular to such travel bags that can be used for short trips or small amounts of clothing and/or accessories.  
           [0003]    2. Description of Prior Art  
           [0004]    Conventional luggage, including garment bags, are the typical means by which business and non-business travelers transport and store their clothing while traveling. Conventional luggage places an unnecessary burden on the traveler who is taking a short trip or only needs to pack a limited amount of clothing and/or accessories. Likewise, such conventional luggage presents difficulties for the traveler who wishes to travel as unhampered as possible. Moreover, due to luggage size restrictions and limitations on the number of carry-on items imposed by the airlines, for example, travelers are often forced to check bags containing personal items and wait to retrieve those personal items at baggage claim, further delaying the traveler&#39;s arrival at their intended destination.  
           [0005]    Conventional luggage is designed and functions to allow the traveler to store the articles of clothing in a central area. Because the clothing articles are stored in one area, the articles often arrive at the traveler&#39;s destination wrinkled. Moreover, due to the storage restrictions, the traveler is forced to unpack most, if not all the articles, in order to find the particular article of clothing the traveler desires to wear, especially if the item sought is not one of the last items packed.  
           [0006]    Garment bags, unlike conventional luggage, usually have separate storage compartments for the articles to be transported therein. Those storage compartments, however, are typically nothing more than simple open pockets with zipper enclosures. The clothing articles stored therein are often unsecured and become mixed while in transit. Moreover, each compartment must be separately opened and the articles unpacked to obtain the desired piece of clothing. Additionally, garment bags, which are usually meant to be hung during travel and at the traveler&#39;s arrival at his/her destination, are typically large in size and require that the traveler carry the garment bag either by use of a shoulder strap and/or handle, impeding the traveler&#39;s mobility.  
           [0007]    U.S. Pat. Nos. 4,562,952 and 4,881,684 to Chinman (collectively, “Chinman”) disclose a “Wrapper for Clothing” and a “Wrapper for Articles with Improved Securing Arrangement,” respectively. The wrapper of Chinman, however, has several drawbacks. First, the wrapper includes a shape retainer that is necessary to place on the stack of clothing to be stacked in order to maintain the articles stored therein in a flat condition. Secondly, the wrapper of Chinman is limited to storage in only a central area. The side flaps of the wrapper do not and cannot function as storage areas, but instead, are designed to envelop and secure the articles stored in the central area and to maintain the structure of the wrapper. Moreover, due to the overall limitations of the wrapper of Chimnan, it is designed to be used in conjunction with other wrappers of the same design, with each wrapper holding a particular type of clothing. Additionally, due to the lack of an internal securing means, when the side flaps are in the completely opened position, the wrapper must be lain flat or the articles stored therein will fall out.  
           [0008]    In view of the foregoing, there is a need for a travel bag that overcomes the deficiencies of the prior art in the transportation, storage and preservation of clothing for the business and non-business traveler.  
         SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION  
         [0009]    The present invention provides a travel bag which is portable, lightweight and compact for the transportation and storage of clothing and/or accessories for the traveler, and in particular, the traveler that needs to take only a limited supply of clothing and/or accessories in a single bag.  
           [0010]    According to one embodiment of the present invention, the travel bag comprises two chambers of equal size. The chambers are preferable formed on a common base, but they may also be formed on separate pieces that are connected together by sewing, double stitching or other means known to those skilled in the trade or industry. At least one chamber preferably includes two flaps that are coupled to the base along the outer edges of each flap. The first chamber contains one or more straps to securely position the clothing to be stored therein. The straps are preferably coupled to the base of the travel bag by sewing, double stitching, or the like. The flaps of the chamber preferably close inwards to fit inside the area of the chamber. In one embodiment, the flaps are of unequal size, with one flap overlapping the other in the closed state. According to this embodiment, when closed, the flaps are secured by a strap which is snapped, buttoned, closed by Velcro, or the like. At least one of the flaps preferably contains a plurality of storage areas, such as pockets or pouches, wherein clothing, toiletries, money, or other personal-like items can be stored. These pouch-like areas have a opening on the top of each wherein articles can be inserted. The pouches may include an elastic band at the entrance to the pouch in order to secure such articles in place in the pouch-like area. The travel bag may additionally contain a clothing folding guide of the size that it can be readily stored in the chamber. In one embodiment of the invention, a pocket may be sewn, double stitched, or the like, into the first chamber for the further storage of additional personal items.  
           [0011]    In one embodiment of the invention, the second chamber preferably contains a central area wherein pants, skirts, or the like can be stored. The second chamber contains snaps, buttons, Velcro strips, or the like secured in each of the corner sections, preferably by means of sewing, double-stitching, or the like. Adjustable straps or other adjustable holders can be used in either a latitudinal or longitudinal orientation, firmly securing the article(s) therein. In one embodiment, the second chamber folds up to align with the first chamber to form a compact travel bag which is securely closed by a conventional zipper surrounding the perimeter of the first and second chambers.  
           [0012]    In another embodiment of the present invention, the flaps are of equal dimensions, closing without overlapping each other. When closed, the flaps are preferably secured by a strap which is snapped, buttoned, closed by Velcro, or the like.  
           [0013]    Furthermore, according to an alternative embodiment of the present invention, the flaps containing the pocket or pouch-like areas for storage contain a plurality of straps outside the internal areas of the pockets for securing items that do not fit regularly into the pouch-like areas.  
           [0014]    In another alternative embodiment of the present invention, the straps of said internal chambers are fixed in size. In yet a farther alternative embodiment of the present invention, the straps are padded.  
           [0015]    According to one embodiment of the present invention, one or more handles are attached to the outside of the base of the travel bag, enabling the traveler to easily carry the travel bag, if the traveler so wishes. The handles may be attached to the travel bag by sewing, double-stitching, or the like. In an alternative embodiment of the present invention, the handles are removable, attached by snaps, buttons, or the like.  
           [0016]    In an alternative embodiment of the present invention, the tops one or more of the pouch-like areas contains a conventional zipper, providing the means wherein articles may be completely secured within each pouch-like area. Other forms, shapes and sizes of the present invention may be made without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention, which shall only be limited by the scope of the claims contained herein.  
           [0017]    Accordingly, it is an object of the present invention to provide a travel bag for the storage and transport of clothing and/or accessories in a form, shape and size to be transported and stored in a typical attache and/or briefcase.  
           [0018]    It is a further object of the present invention to provide a travel bag for the storage and transport of clothing and/or accessories which will conveniently and efficiently hold sufficient clothes and/or accessories for a short trip without needlessly burdening the traveler. Other objects of the present invention shall be apparent to a person skilled in the art based on the disclosure contained herein. 
       
    
    
     BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS  
       [0019]    The accompanying drawings, which are incorporated in and constitute a part of the specification, illustrate by way of example and not limitation, the present invention, and together with the preceding general description and the following detailed description, explain the principles of the invention.  
         [0020]    In the drawings:  
         [0021]    [0021]FIG. 1 is a perspective view of an embodiment of a travel bag for clothing transport and storage according to the present invention in its fully opened state, illustrating its internal chambers for the storage of clothing articles and the flaps wherein clothing can be stored in their most-opened positions.  
         [0022]    [0022]FIG. 2 is a perspective view of an embodiment of a travel bag for clothing transport and storage similar to FIG. 1, illustrating the flaps in their closed state within the first internal chamber and secured by a fastener.  
         [0023]    [0023]FIG. 3 is a perspective view of an embodiment of a travel bag for clothing transport and storage according to the present invention illustrating an embodiment of the closed and most compact state.  
         [0024]    [0024]FIG. 4 is a top view of an embodiment of a travel bag for clothing transport and storage according to the present invention illustrating a clothing folding guide used with the travel bag and an embodiment of the second internal chamber. 
     
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION  
       [0025]    Embodiments of a travel bag which utilize the present invention address the need for an apparatus which is portable, lightweight and compact for the ready transport and storage of a limited supply of clothing. Ideally, the traveler can travel to his/her next destination with a complete day&#39;s outfit of clothing firmly secured in a travel bag that can fit within a typical brief case, thus eliminating the necessity to hand carry an extra bag specifically for clothing and personal items. As is shown in the Figures, a travel bag ( 1 ) for clothing transport and storage is described. In order to store, transport and protect the traveler&#39;s clothing and personal items, in an embodiment of the present invention, the travel bag ( 1 ) comprises, a base member ( 7 ), a first internal chamber ( 2 ) with clothing holders such as straps ( 10   a - d ) for securing clothing therein, a second internal chamber ( 3 ) with clothing holders such as straps ( 40   a ) and ( 40   b ) for securing clothing therein, one or more flaps ( 5 ) and ( 6 ) containing a plurality of pocket or pouch-like areas ( 20   a - f ), and a closer such as a zipper ( 50 ).  
         [0026]    Referring to FIGS.  1 - 4 , the travel bag ( 1 ) may be constructed of fabric, vinyl, leather, or other suitable material, having the components coupled together. For the purposes of this invention, coupling may be achieved by sewing, double-stitching, adhesively, or the like. The fabric may be treated with a stain-resistant product for protecting the travel bag ( 1 ) from stains.  
         [0027]    In an embodiment of the present invention, the travel bag ( 1 ) includes a rigid, clothing folding guide ( 30 ) of a lesser dimension than the internal chambers ( 2 ) and ( 3 ), so that the rigid, clothing folding guide ( 30 ) can be readily stored therein. The rigid, clothing folding guide ( 30 ) may be constructed of plastic, cardboard, or the like. See FIG. 4.  
         [0028]    As shown in FIG. 2, in an embodiment of the present invention, the flaps ( 5 ) and ( 6 ) contain a fastener ( 100 ), such as a strap, to firmly secure the overlapping flaps ( 5 ) and ( 6 ) within internal chamber ( 2 ). The fastener ( 100 ) may be constructed of elastic or other suitable material and is preferably secured by a snap, button, or the like.  
         [0029]    In another embodiment of the present invention, the flaps ( 5 ) and ( 6 ) contain additional clothing holders ( 60   a ) and ( 60   b ) to hold in place articles of clothing too large to fit in the plurality of pocket or pouch-like areas ( 20   a - f ). The holders ( 60   a ) and ( 60   b ) may be a strap constructed with elastic or other suitable material, may be padded, and may be secured by a snap, button, or the like.  
         [0030]    According to one embodiment of the present invention, the pocket or pouch-like areas ( 20   a - f ) contain one or more pouch closures ( 21   a - f ) such as elastic strips or other suitable material sewn, double-stitched, or the like into the top portions of each, providing a means for securing the items stored therein. In an alternative embodiment of the present invention, the pocket or pouch-like areas ( 20   a - f ) may be secured by means of a zipper ( 21   a ). Although a specific number of pocket or pouch-like areas are shown, the number may vary in alternate embodiments as will be understood by one skilled in the art without departing from the present invention.  
         [0031]    In yet a further embodiment of the present invention, internal chamber ( 3 ) also preferably contains clothing holders ( 40   a ) and ( 40   b ) such as straps, or other means known to those skilled in the trade or industry, that are preferably removable, by means of a snap, button, or the like. These internal clothing holders ( 40   a ) and ( 40   b ) firmly secure the article of clothing to be stored therein. These holders ( 40   a ) and ( 40   b ) are preferably adjustable, for example by means of a buckle ( 70   a ) or ( 70   b ), respectively, adjusting the length of the straps ( 40   a ) and ( 40   b ) to fit within internal chamber ( 3 ) in either a longitudinal or latitudinal orientation. See FIG. 4.  
         [0032]    In another embodiment, labels( 110   a - g ) may be sewn, double-stitched, glued, or the like, adjacent to the storage areas of the present invention, guiding the user as to the most appropriate articles to be stored therein.  
         [0033]    In another embodiment, pocket ( 25 ) may be sewn, double-stitched, glued, or the like, into internal chamber ( 2 ), providing the user an additional storage area.  
         [0034]    In the preferred embodiment, the internal chambers ( 2 ) and ( 3 ) are of equal size and fold up towards each other to align so that the present invention and all the contents stored therein may be securely enclosed within the present invention by a zipper ( 50 ) or other device to secure the outer edges in a relative relationship which brings the outer perimeters of internal chambers ( 2 ) and ( 3 ) together, creating a portable and compact travel bag suitable for transport. In such state, the present invention can be readily stored and transported in a typical brief or attache case (not shown). See FIG. 3.  
         [0035]    In another embodiment, a handle ( 200 ) may be sewn, double-stitched, or the like to the base member ( 7 ) of present invention, allowing the user to hand carry the travel bag. The handle ( 200 ) also may be removable, being attached by means of buttons, snaps, or the like.  
         [0036]    Thus, a travel bag for clothing transport and storage is disclosed. Although the present invention has been described with reference to specific exemplary embodiments, it will be evident to those skilled in the art that various changes and modifications may be made to these embodiments, and equivalents may be substituted for elements in these embodiments, without departing from the general spirit and scope of the invention as set forth in the claims. Accordingly, the specification and drawings should be regarded in an illustrative rather than a restrictive sense.