Abstract:
The present invention includes a clothing transport for organizing and storing clothing and other personal items for travel. The clothing transport comprises a plurality of pockets located on a first member or second member, each pocket having a corresponding label. In some embodiments, the label indicates the contents of the associated pocket. In some embodiments, the label indicates a day-of-the-week associated with the pocket. The clothing transport is configurable in an open position for packing, storing, and hanging, and in a compact position for carrying and transporting. The clothing transport may be secured in the compact position and may be conveniently carried using a carrying member. The second member may be detached from the clothing transport and left behind when the clothing transport is used on shorter trips. The clothing transport is simple to pack, guides children to clothes for a particular day-of-the-week, and separated dirty laundry from clean clothes.

Description:
RELATED APPLICATIONS 
       [0001]    This application claims priority under 35 U.S.C. 119(e) to the U.S. Provisional Patent Application No. 61/667,843, filed on March July 3, 2012, and entitled “Hanging Clothing Transport”. The entire contents of provisional application No.  61 / 667 , 843  are herein incorporated by reference. 
     
    
     TECHNICAL FIELD 
       [0002]    The field of the present invention relates to travel luggage, and, more specifically, to a hanging clothing transport for organizing and storing clothing and other personal items for travel. 
       BACKGROUND 
       [0003]    People often plan their outfits for travel in advance, coordinating their clothes to their planned activities. It can be difficult for children to remember which clothes to wear on the appropriate day when all of their clothes are stored together in one luggage compartment. 
         [0004]    It may also be difficult for children to remember which clothes are clean and which are dirty, when all of the clothing is grouped into one suitcase. 
         [0005]    The present inventor recognized a need for a luggage container that is simple to pack, guides children to wear the clothing choice on the appropriate day-of-the-week, and separates dirty laundry from clean clothes. 
       SUMMARY 
       [0006]    The present invention includes a clothing transport for organizing and storing clothing and other personal items for travel. The clothing transport comprises a plurality of pockets located on a first member or second member, each pocket having a corresponding label. In some embodiments, the label indicates the contents of the associated pocket. In some embodiments, the label indicates a day-of-the-week associated with the pocket. The clothing transport is configurable in an open position for packing, storing, and hanging, and in a compact position for carrying and transporting. The clothing transport may be secured in the compact position and may be conveniently carried using a carrying member. The second member may be detached from the clothing transport and left behind when the clothing transport is used on shorter trips. The clothing transport is simple to pack, guides children to clothes for a particular day-of-the-week, and separated dirty laundry from clean clothes. 
         [0007]    Embodiments of the present disclosure provides a clothing transport for organizing and storing clothing used for travel comprising: a first member having a set of first pockets and a set of first labels, wherein each first label corresponds to a first pocket; a second member detachably coupled to the first member, a plurality of pockets located on the first member and the second member; a plurality of labels located adjacent to the plurality of pockets, wherein each label corresponds to a pocket; and one or more securing devices configured to secure the device in a compact configuration. 
         [0008]    In some embodiments, at least one label of the plurality of labels indicates contents of the corresponding pocket. In some embodiments, at least one label of the plurality of labels indicates a day-of-the-week associated with the corresponding pocket. In some embodiments, each label of the plurality of labels covers an opening of a corresponding pocket. For example, the one or more pockets may include a pocket label “Friday”, a pocket labeled “Saturday”, a pocket labeled “Sunday”, and a pocket labeled “Toiletries”. 
         [0009]    In some embodiments, the plurality of pockets comprises one or more pockets attached to the first member, wherein the plurality of labels comprises one or more labels attached to the first member. In some embodiments, each pocket of the plurality of pockets comprises an opening configured to secure contents of the pocket. In some embodiments, the opening selectively attaches to the clothing transport to secure the contents. In some embodiments, the opening selectively attaches to a label corresponding to the pocket to secure the contents. 
         [0010]    In some embodiments, the clothing transport further comprises a hanging mechanism. In some embodiments, the clothing transport further comprises a carrying member. 
         [0011]    In some embodiments, each of the one or more securing devices is attached to the first member at a first end and selectively attaches to the first member at a second end. In some embodiments, the one or more securing devices comprises two or more straps attached to the first member at a first end and having an attachment mechanism on a second end, wherein the attachment mechanism of a first strap of the two or more straps is configured to selectively attach to the attachment mechanism of a second strap of the two or more straps. In some embodiments, a length of the one or more securing devices is adjustable 
         [0012]    Embodiments of the present disclosure also provide a clothing transport apparatus comprising: a first member removably attached to a second member; a plurality of pockets attached to the first member or the second member; and a plurality of labels corresponding to the plurality of pockets, wherein a number of the plurality of labels equals a numbers of the plurality of pockets; and, wherein the clothing transport is adapted to transition between an open configuration and a compact configuration. 
         [0013]    In some embodiments, the clothing transport also comprises a hanging mechanism configured to hang the clothing transport when in the open configuration. 
         [0014]    In some embodiments, the clothing transport also comprises a securing device for securing the clothing transport in the compact configuration. In some embodiments, the securing device adjusts to a plurality of lengths comprising a first length for securing both the first member and the second member and a second length for securing only the first member. 
         [0015]    In some embodiments, the plurality of labels is configured to secure contents of the plurality of pockets. 
         [0016]    Embodiments of the disclosure further provide a clothing transport comprising a first storing means for storing clothing or personal items; a second storing means for storing clothing or personal items; a first labeling means for labeling the contents of the first storing means; a second labeling means for labeling the contents of the second storing means; an attachment means for selectively attaching the first storing means to the second storing means; and a securing means for selectively securing the clothing transport in a closed configuration. 
         [0017]    Additional aspects and advantages will be apparent from the following detailed description of preferred embodiments, which proceeds with reference to the accompanying drawings. 
     
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
         [0018]      FIG. 1  is a front view of a clothing transport for organizing and storing clothing comprising a first member and a second member, according to embodiments of the disclosure. 
           [0019]      FIG. 2  is a back view of the clothing transport of  FIG. 1 , according to embodiments of the disclosure. 
           [0020]      FIG. 3  is a front view of the clothing transport of  FIG. 1  with the first member separated from the second member of the clothing transport, according to embodiments of the disclosure. 
           [0021]      FIG. 4  is a perspective view of the first member of the clothing transport of  FIG. 1  in a compact configuration, according to embodiments of the disclosure. 
           [0022]      FIG. 5  is a perspective view of the clothing transport of  FIG. 1  in a compact configuration, according to embodiments of the disclosure. 
       
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS 
       [0023]      FIG. 1  is a front view of a clothing transport  10  for organizing and storing clothing and other personal items for travel.  FIG. 2  is a back view of the clothing transport  10 . The clothing transport  10  includes two members, a first member  16  and a second member  17 . The second member  17  is selectively attachable the first member  16  via an attachment mechanism  15 . As discussed in further detail with reference to  FIG. 3 , the attachment mechanism  15  may comprise a first attaching device and a corresponding second attaching. The clothing transport  10  may be configured in an open, extended configuration shown in  FIG. 1 , convenient for packing, displaying or hanging. The clothing transport  10  may also be configured in a closed, compact configuration, as discussed in further detail with reference to  FIGS. 4 and 5 . 
         [0024]    The first member  16  is the primary member and includes a front panel  12  and a back panel  13  attached to each other. For example, the front panel  12  and the back panel  13  may be attached at their perimeters, e.g., by sewing, to prevent fraying. The front panel  12  and the back panel  13  may be made of flexible material, including, but not limited to, plastics, nylon, fabric (or textile), leather, leather substitute, or other suitable flexible material. The panels  12  and  13  may be attached to one another by sewing, by fusing, by an adhesive, by rivets, or by other suitable attaching means. 
         [0025]    At one end of the first member  16  is a hanging device  11  to allow easy storage or display of the clothing transport  10 . In some embodiments, the hanging device  11  is located at an opposite end from the attachment mechanism  15 , such that, when hanging, the first member  16  is on top and the second member  17  is on bottom. The hanging device  11  may be any suitable means for hanging the clothing transport  10 , including, but not limited to, a strap, a hook, or a system of hooks and/or straps. The first member  16  may also include an identification tag holder  24  for holding a removable, replaceable identification tag that identifies the owner of the clothing transport  10 . The identification tag holder  24  may be made out of a transparent material, such as a transparent plastic, so that the identification tag can be easily read. The hanging device  11  and the identification tag holder  24  may be attached to the first member  16  by any suitable attaching means, including sewing, fusing, heat bonding, or through use of adhesives, rivets, etc. 
         [0026]    The second member  17  is the secondary member and also includes a front panel  18  and a back panel  19  attached to each other. For example, the front panel  18  and the back panel  19  may be attached at their perimeters, e.g., by sewing, to prevent fraying. The front panel  18  and the back panel  19  may be made of flexible material, including, but not limited to, plastics, nylon, fabric (or textile), leather, leather substitute, or other suitable flexible material. The panels  18  and  19  may be attached to one another by sewing, by fusing, by an adhesive, by rivets, or by other suitable attaching means. As discussed in detail below with reference to  FIG. 3 , a second attaching device corresponding to the first attaching device of the first member  16  is located at one end of the second member  17  to allow a quick and easy attachment to (or detachment) from the first member  16 . 
         [0027]    The first member  16  and the second member  17  each comprise one or more pockets  14 . At least one pocket  14  is attached to the front panel  12  of the first member  16  and at least one pocket  14  is attached to the front panel  18  of the second member  17 . The pockets  14  are configured to store clothing and/or personal items in an organized manner. In some embodiments, the pockets  14  may be arranged in a matrix or grid configuration to provide organization. The pockets  14  are attached to the front panels  12  and  18  by sewing, by fusing, by an adhesive, by rivets, or by other suitable attaching means. The pockets may have a rectangular shape, similar to the front panels  12  and  18 , and attached to the front panels  12  and  18  along three sides or edges. The fourth side is unattached, so as to form an opening  21 . The pockets  14  may be manufactured of a flexible material, including, but not limited to, mesh, netting, cloth, elastic, or other suitable material. In some embodiments, the pockets  14  are made of mesh-like rectangles so that contents within the pockets  14  are visible through the material of the pockets  14 . 
         [0028]    The openings  21  of the pockets  14  are not attached to the front panel  12  and may be configured to retain the contents of the pockets. In some embodiments, the openings  21  include stretchable, elastic material to help retain the contents of the pockets  14 . For example, the elastic opening  21  may be configured to both expand when a user places clothing or personal items in the pocket and contract afterwards to prevent the contents from coming out. In some embodiments, the openings  21  of the pockets  14  include securing means configured to secure the contents of the pockets  14 , including, but not limited to, buttons, zippers, snap fasteners, hook-and-loop fasteners, hook-and-eye fasteners, laces, drawstrings, toggles, buckles, clasps, magnets, or other attachment devices. The securing means selectively attaches the opening  21  of a pocket  14  to the front panel  12  (or the front panel  18 ), so as to selectively secure the contents of the pockets  14 . 
         [0029]    The clothing transport  10  may further comprise a plurality of labels  20 , the number of labels  20  corresponding to the number of pockets  14 . One or more labels  20  are attached to the front panel  12  of the first member  16  and one or more labels  20  are attached to the second panel  17 , each label  20  corresponding to a pocket  14 . The labels  20  may be attached to the front panels  12  and  18  by sewing, by fusing, by an adhesive, by rivets, or by other suitable attaching means. The labels  20  may be made of a flexible material, including, but not limited to, plastics, nylon, fabric (or textile), leather, leather substitute, or other suitable flexible material. In certain embodiments, the labels  20  comprise the same material as the front panel  12 . 
         [0030]    In some embodiments, one or more labels  20  are attached to the front panel  12  or  18 , such that each label  20  covers the opening  21  of its corresponding pocket  14  to inhibit the contents from being displaced from the pocket  14 . For example, the label  20  may be affixed to the clothing transport  10  on one end so that the body of the label  20  hangs down over the opening  21 . The labels  20  may be configured to aid in retaining the contents of the pockets  14 . For example, the opening  21  of a pocket  14  may comprise securing means that selectively attaches the pocket  14  to the label  20 . Such securing means may include buttons, zippers, snap fasteners, hook-and-loop fasteners, hook-and-eye fasteners, laces, drawstrings, toggles, buckles, clasps, magnets, or other attachment devices. 
         [0031]    The labels  20  are used to indicate the contents of the corresponding pockets  14 . A given label  20  may use words, letters, or other symbols to indicate the contents of its corresponding pocket  14 . The labels  20  may indicate a day-of-the-week for which the contents of the corresponding pockets  14  are to be used or may indicate the nature of the contents of the corresponding pockets  14 , e.g., toiletries, footwear, or other titles for travel items. Referring to  FIG. 1 , the first member  16  of the clothing transport  10  may include four pockets  14 , with corresponding labels  20 , for contents to be used on Friday, Saturday, and Sunday, as well as Toiletries. The second member  17  may also contain the four pockets  14 , with corresponding labels  20 , for contents to be used on Monday, Tuesday, Wednesday, and Thursday. 
         [0032]    In some embodiments, interior portions of a pocket  14  may be attached to a front panel (for example, front panel  12 ) to form sub-pockets within the pocket  14 . The sub-pockets share a common opening  21 , as well as a common label  20 . The sub-pockets facilitate organization of the contents of the pocket  14 . For example, one sub-pocket could be used to store clothing and another could be used to store other travel items. Thus the additional seams (i.e., attached interior portions) create the effect of a greater number of pockets  14 . 
         [0033]    Referring to  FIG. 2 , the clothing transport  10  may further include one or more securing devices  22  configured to selectively secure the clothing transport  10  into a compact configuration. The one or more securing devices  22  are attached to the back panel  13  of the first member  16 . The clothing transport  10  may be compacted by means, such as folding or rolling, and secured in the compacted position by the one or more securing devices  22 , as shown in  FIG. 6 . The one or more securing devices  22  are attached to the back panel  13  at a location where they are easily accessible when the clothing transport is in the compact configuration. For example, the one or more securing devices may be attached towards the middle of the back panel  13  of the first member  16 , as shown in  FIG. 2 . As another example, the securing devices  22  may be attached to the first member  16  near the hanging device  11 . The one or more securing devices  22  may comprise straps, cords, ties, or other suitable devices. Additionally, the securing device(s)  22  may comprises buckles, zippers, buttons or other attachment mechanisms on one end of a securing device and configured to attach to a corresponding attachment device, as discussed below with reference to  FIG. 5 . This corresponding attachment device may be located on a different securing device  22  or on the back panel  13  of the first member  16 . For example, the one or more securing devices  22  consist of two adjustable straps configured to encircle the clothing transport  10  and secure it in its compact form. 
         [0034]    The clothing transport  10  may also include a carrying member  23 , such as a carrying strap, that allows the clothing transport  10  to be easily carried when in the compact position. In some embodiments, the length of the carrying member  23  may be adjustable. In some embodiments, the carrying member  23  may be removable. The carrying member  23  may be attached to the securing device(s)  22  or may be attached to the first member  16  of the clothing transport  10 . For example, the carrying member  23  may be attached to the back panel  13  near the securing device(s)  22 . 
         [0035]      FIG. 3  is a front view of the clothing transport  10  with the first member  16  separated from the second member  17 , according to embodiments of the disclosure. The first member  16  and the second member  17  may be selectively detached from each other at the attachment mechanism  15  so that the clothing transport  10  comprises two independent pieces.  FIG. 3  shows the clothing transport  10  in a simplified configuration consisting of the primary member  16 . 
         [0036]    According to some embodiments, the first member  16  may comprise four pockets  14 , one each for Friday, Saturday, Sunday and Toiletries, and four corresponding labels  20 . The second member  17  may also comprise four pockets  14 , one each for Monday, Tuesday, Wednesday, and Thursday, and four corresponding labels  20 . Thus organization of the first member  16  is convenient for weekend trips, while the organization of the second member  17  is convenient for weekday trips. Additionally, when used for a trip lasting only the weekend, the second member  17  may be separated from the first member  16 , and the clothing transport  10  may be used without the second member  17 . 
         [0037]    The attachment device  15  may comprise a first attaching device  15   a  located on the first member  16  and a corresponding second attaching device  15   b  located on the second member  17 . The first attaching device  15   a  is at one end of the first member  16 , while the corresponding second attaching device  15   b  is located at an end of the second member  17  adjacent to the first member  16 . The first attaching device  15   a  and the second attaching device  15   b  together form the attachment mechanism  15 , which allows for quick and easy attachment (or detachment) of the first member  16  and the second member  17 . The attachment mechanism  15  may comprise any suitable fastening means, including, but not limited to, one or more of: zippers, snap fasteners, buttons and corresponding buttonholes, laces and corresponding eyelets or loops, hook-and-loop fasteners, hook-and-eye fasteners, toggle fasteners, buckles, and clasps. 
         [0038]      FIG. 4  is a perspective view of the first member  16  of the clothing transport  10  in a compact configuration, according to embodiments of the disclosure. As discussed above, the second member  17  may be separated from the clothing transport  10  leaving the first member  16  with pockets  14  (e.g., for Friday, Saturday, Sunday and Toiletries) convenient for a trip lasting only the weekend. When the second member  17  is detached from the first member  16 , the first member  16  may be rolled up or folded into the compact configuration, convenient for traveling, as shown in  FIG. 4 . While in the compact configuration, the back panel  13  of the first member  16  is at the exterior or surface of the clothing transport  10  and the one or more pockets  14  of the first member  16  are positioned in the center of the clothing transport, thereby securing the contents (e.g., clothing or personal items) of the pockets  14  and providing at least some protection from exposure, e.g., to rain, sunlight, soil, or the elements. In some embodiments, the back panel  13  comprises material suitable for exposure to rain, dirt, sunlight, and other elements. 
         [0039]    The first member  16  may be secured in the compact configuration by the one or more securing devices  22 . Referring to  FIG. 4 , the securing devices encircle the first member  16  around a circumference of the first member  16  while in the compact configuration. The securing devices  22  serve may also be used to further compact the first member  16 . For example, the securing device(s)  22  may be cinched around the first member  16  and the length of the securing device(s)  22  may be reduced, thereby further compacting the first member  16 . The clothing transport  10 , comprising the first member  16  but not the second member  17 , may be conveniently carried using the carrying member  23  while in the compact configuration. 
         [0040]      FIG. 5  is a perspective view of the clothing transport  10  in a compact configuration, according to embodiments of the disclosure. In these embodiments, the first member  16  and the second member  17  of the clothing transport  10  are attached together via the attachment mechanism  15 . The clothing transport is folded or rolled into a compact configuration with the contents of the pockets  14  located centrally and the back panel  13  of the first member  16  located at the exterior of the clothing transport  10 . In some embodiments, the back panel  19  of the second member  17  is also located on the exterior of the clothing transport. The clothing transport  10  is secured in the compact configuration by the one or more securing devices  22 . As discussed above, each securing device  22  may have a buckle, zipper, button or other attachment mechanism on one end of a securing device and configured to attach to a corresponding attachment device located on another securing device  22  or on the back panel  13  of the first member  16 . For example, a securing device  22  may comprise a strap with a female buckle  22   a  on one end and configured to releasably attach to a corresponding male buckle  22   b  located on another securing device  22 . The straps  22  may be of an adjustable length to accommodate a variety of girths of the clothing transport  10 . 
         [0041]    While in the compact configuration, the clothing transport  10  may be conveniently carried, transported or stored. The carrying member  23  allows for convenient carrying and/or transportation of the clothing transport  10 . In some embodiments, the carrying member may comprise a pad  23   a  for additional comfort while carrying the clothing transport  10 . The pad  23   a  comprises a soft material and is configures to be placed between the carrying member  23  and a user&#39;s body. Examples of the pad  23   a  include, but are not limited to, shoulder pads, padded handles, and the like. The pad  23   a  provides cushioning and prevents the carrying member from digging into the user&#39;s body. 
         [0042]    It will be obvious to those having skill in the art that many changes may be made to the details of the above-described embodiments without departing from the underlying principles of the invention. The scope of the present invention should, therefore, be determined only by the following claims.