Abstract:
The present invention relates to a needlecraft tote carrier appropriate for storage. More specifically, the carrier provides specialized compartments for receiving yarn, instructions or instruction manuals, needles, crochet hooks and a main compartment for receiving the project. The yarn pockets can include a closure member for securing the yarn pocket. The closure member is selected to expeditiously release yarn from the pocket without tangling. The closure member can retain a ball or skein of yarn or thread in the yarn pocket while allowing a strand from the ball or skein to extend from the yarn pocket and be unraveled from the ball or skein. The carrier can also comprise at least one pocket, or a plurality of pockets for receiving writing utensils, crochet hooks, scissors, tape measures, cable hooks, stitch markers, stitch holders, needle caps, cellular phones or other notions.

Description:
CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION  
       [0001]     This application claims the benefit of U.S. Provisional Patent Application No. 60/595,218 filed Jun. 16, 2005, the entirety of which is hereby incorporated by reference into this application. 
     
    
     BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION  
       [0002]     1. Field of the Invention  
         [0003]     The present invention is directed to a carrier, tote or bag for carrying and storing a needlecraft project such as a knitting, crocheting or needlework project in which yarn pockets can be used to hold a skein and/or ball of yarn and allow the yarn to be expeditiously released from the carrier without tangling and additional easily accessible pockets can be used for receiving needles, instructions and the project itself.  
         [0004]     2. Description of Related Art  
         [0005]     Totes, bags, carriers and purses are known to be used to store and transport a variety of items. Typically, bags and purses are designed for personal and professional items and various designs provide locations for cell phones, wallets, change, writing utensils and the like. Totes or shoulder bags, for storing and transporting larger items, have larger compartments, typically for books, clothing, files, etc. Carriers for tools such as hammers, screwdrivers, measuring tape and the like, are also known and used by craftsmen and handymen.  
         [0006]     It has been found that the bags, purses, totes and carriers currently on the market are not convenient for storing and transporting needlecraft projects which include yarn, needles, instructions, and the knitting project itself. Typically, one main compartment is provided to receive all items of a knitting project. Given that yarn is easily entangled with nearby items, it is inconvenient and can be frustrating to store and transport knitting projects in the carriers presently on the market.  
         [0007]     U.S. Pat. No. 4,678,333 describes a foldable storage case. The case includes a subdivided pocket for receiving knitting needles. A flap above the pocket can either cover ends of short needles or allow long needles to pass over the flap. Additional foldable sections include pockets for storing additional elongate objects such as knitting needles or crochet hooks.  
         [0008]     It is desirable to provide a carrier for a knitting project providing easily accessible pockets for receiving yarn, needles, instructions, and the knitting project itself.  
       SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION  
       [0009]     The present invention relates to a needlecraft tote carrier appropriate for storage and transport of a knitting, crochet or needlework project. The carrier can comprise a bag, tote, shoulder bag or purse. More specifically, the carrier provides specialized compartments for receiving yarn, instructions or instruction manuals, needles, crochet hooks and a main compartment for receiving the project. The yarn pockets can include a closure member for securing the yarn pocket. The closure member is selected to expeditiously release yarn from the pocket without tangling. The closure member can retain a ball or skein of yarn or thread in the yarn pocket while allowing a strand from the ball or skein to extend from the yarn pocket and be unraveled from the ball or skein. Accordingly, the yarn pockets and closure members keep the ball or skein in place and prevent them from popping out of the pockets and rolling away. The closure member can easily be opened to access the ball or skein to remove or unknot without having to cut the yarn or thread.  
         [0010]     The carrier can also comprise at least one pocket, or a plurality of pockets for receiving writing utensils, crochet hooks, scissors, tape measures, cable hooks, large eye needles, stitch markers, stitch holders, needle caps, cellular phones or other notions. The carrier can further comprise at least one handle of fixed or adjustable length, to facilitate ease in the transport of the carrier from one location to another location.  
         [0011]     The invention will be more fully described by reference to the following drawings. 
     
    
     BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS  
       [0012]      FIG. 1  is a side perspective view of a needlecraft tote carrier for a project.  
         [0013]      FIG. 2  is a view of an interior first side panel of the carrier.  
         [0014]      FIG. 3  is a view of an interior of a second side panel of the carrier.  
         [0015]      FIG. 4  is a top and side perspective view showing the inside of an open needlecraft tote carrier showing the interior of the first side panel.  
         [0016]      FIG. 5  is a view of the inside of an open needlecraft tote carrier showing the interior of the second side panel.  
         [0017]      FIG. 6  is a view of the interior of the second side panel having a needle holder with elastic straps.  
         [0018]      FIG. 7  is a view of the interior of the second side panel having a needle holder with elastic straps and a needle sleeve.  
         [0019]      FIG. 8  is a schematic diagram of a panel used in forming a needlecraft tote carrier.  
         [0020]      FIG. 9A  is a side perspective view of the needlecraft tote carrier formed from the panel shown in  FIG. 8 .  
         [0021]      FIG. 9B  is a side perspective view of the needlecraft tote carrier formed from the panel shown in  FIG. 8 .  
         [0022]      FIG. 10A  is a schematic diagram of a panel used in forming a needlecraft tote carrier.  
         [0023]      FIG. 10B  is a schematic diagram of a first end panel used in forming a needlecraft tote carrier.  
         [0024]      FIG. 10C  is a schematic diagram of a second end panel used in forming a needlecraft tote carrier.  
         [0025]      FIG. 11  is a side perspective view of the needlecraft tote carrier formed from the panel shown in  FIG. 10A-10C . 
     
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION  
       [0026]     Reference will now be made in greater detail to a preferred embodiment of the invention, an example of which is illustrated in the accompanying drawings. Wherever possible, the same reference numerals will be used throughout the drawings and the description to refer to the same or like parts.  
         [0027]     The present invention relates to needlecraft tote carrier  10 . Carrier  10  can be in the form of a bag, purse, tote or shoulder bag, suitable for storing and transporting a needlecraft project such as knitting projects, crochet projects, or needlework projects. Those skilled in the art will understand that the present invention also embodies backpacks, messenger bags, duffle bags, carry-on upright bags, and the like, any of which may or may not comprise wheels.  
         [0028]     A needlecraft project typically contains at least one ball of yarn or thread, at least one set of needles or crochet hooks, an item in process of being worked on, instructions and optionally scissors, tape measures, cable hooks, large eye needles, stitch markers, stitch holders and needle caps. While reference is made to needlecraft projects, this term is to be broadly interpreted to include but not be limited to other projects such as knitting, crocheting, cross stitching, crewelwork, hook work, and other projects in addition to fiber and needle arts.  
         [0029]     Generally, carrier  10  will have bottom panel  40 , first side panel  28  and opposing parallel second side panel  30 , first end panel  37  and opposing parallel second end panel  39 , as shown in  FIGS. 1, 4  and  5 . Bottom panel  40 , first side panel  28 , second side panel  30 , first end panel  37  and second end panel  39  are coupled to one another, for example, with stitching, to form carrier  10 . Cavity  20  is formed within carrier  10 . Carrier  10  is preferably made of cloth, but may also be made of canvas, leather, vinyl, plastic and the like. Carrier  10  generally does not have Velcro™ or other similar materials in any of the areas where a needlecraft project or yarn may be located to prevent the adherence of yarn carried in carrier  10  to the Velcro™, and annoyance to the consumer. Carrier  10  is preferably made of a double layer of cloth having a selected pattern and/or color with reversible stitch to maintain the interior of the bag as aesthetically pleasing to the consumer.  
         [0030]     Referring to  FIG. 1 , first handle  22  is shown fixed to first side panel  28  of carrier  10 . Typically, first handle  22  is attached by sewing, double stitching and the like, but may also be adhesively attached or attached by any other means in the art. First handle  22  is used to facilitate the transport of carrier  10  from one location to another. In one embodiment, one handle may be used to facilitate the transport of carrier  10 , which can alternatively be centrally attached to the top of first end panel  37  and second end panel  39 .  
         [0031]     Preferably, there are two handles, first handle  22  being attached to first side panel  28 , and second handle  32  being attached to second side panel  30 . Preferably, the handles will be attached to the upper third of first side panel  28  and second side panel  32 . It is understood that the handles may be a variety of fixed lengths or may be adjustable to suit a variety of consumer preferences of length. The length of the handle may be adjusted by any means known in the art, or hereafter developed, for adjusting the lengths of straps, handles, belts, and the like.  
         [0032]     First side panel  28  can be coupled to second side panel  30  with closure means  33 . Closure means  33  can include any means currently known in the art, or hereafter developed is acceptable, such as a magnetic closure, buttons, snaps, and the like. It is not desirable to provide zippers on carrier  10  as yarn or thread can be caught in the zipper.  
         [0033]     First side panel  28  can include one or more yarn pockets  11  formed on the interior, as shown in  FIGS. 2 and 4 . It will be appreciated that yarn pocket  11  could be used to house other materials such as thread or string. Yarn pockets  11  can include closure member  23  for securing outer surface of yarn pocket  11  to the interior of first side panel  28 . Closure member  23  can be made of cloth, plastic, vinyl, canvas, woven or non-woven fabrics and the like. Closure member  23  can be fastened on outer surface  41  of yarn pocket  11  with fastener member  42 . Suitable fastener members  42  include button, snap, hook and eye, and the like. End  44  of closure member  23  can be removably or permanently coupled to interior  43  of first side panel  28 .  
         [0034]     Second side panel  30  can include pattern slot  13  for receiving instructions or an instruction manual for a needlecraft project. One or more notion pocket  16 , needle holder  14  and writing utensil holder  12  can be formed on the interior of second panel  30 , as shown in  FIGS. 3 and 5 . Notion pocket  16  can be pleated to facilitate greater capacity for receiving notions. Needle holder  14  can be in the form of a pocket. Notion pocket  16  and yarn pocket  11  can be located on lower portions  35 ,  36  of respective panels  28  and  30  to reduce pull on the upper portion of the panel when pockets contain yarn or notions, as shown in  FIGS. 3 and 4 .  
         [0035]     In another embodiment, the needle holder can be at least one strap  17  of cloth, canvas, vinyl, leather and the like, which is attached to interior  45  of second side panel  30  so as to slideably receive at least one knitting needle, as shown in  FIG. 6 . Straps  17  can be affixed to carrier  10  by sewing, double stitching, buttoning, snapping, adhesive, or any other fastening means.  
         [0036]     In another embodiment, as shown in  FIG. 7 , needle sleeve  24  is used for receiving at least one knitting needle. Needle sleeve  24  is contained by at least one strap  17 .  
         [0037]      FIGS. 1 and 5  also show an embodiment in which the exterior surface of end panel  37  includes an optional notion pocket  25  with closure member  27 . This embodiment is intended to provide a convenient location for an item such as a cellular phone, or other item, which remains readily available to the user.  
         [0038]     It will be apparent to those skilled in the art that any combination of pockets and panels may be located on the inside or outside of first side panel  28 , second side panel  30 , first end panel  37  and second end panel  39 .  
         [0039]     In an alternate embodiment, the opposing side panels of the carrier are formed of a single panel  51 , as shown in  FIG. 8 . Inner panel  52  is attached, for example, with stitching, at sides  53 ,  54 , and  55  of panel  51 . Pocket  56  is formed between panel  51  and inner panel  52 . For example, pocket  56  can be used to store one or more patterns or instructions. Closing means  57  is attached between panel  51  and panel  52  for closing pocket  56 . For example, closing means  57  can be a button, zipper, snap or magnetic fastener and the like. Closing means can be a hook and loop material, such as Velcro™, since pocket  56  is not located in the vicinity of yarn pockets  11 .  
         [0040]     One or more yarn pockets  11  are formed between inner panel  60  and panel  51 . Inner panel  60  is attached, for example with stitching, at sides  63 ,  64  and  65 , to panel  51 . Inner panel  60  includes excess material in order to form yarn pockets  11 . Inner panel  60  is attached, for example with stitching, at pocket dividers  66  for forming yarn pockets  11 . Closure members  23  secure outer surface  68  of each of yarn pockets  11  to panel  51 . Closure member  23  may be made of cloth, plastic, vinyl, canvas, woven or non-woven fabrics and the like and may be fastened to outer surface  68  of yarn pocket  11  with fastener member  42 . Closure member  23  can be removably or permanently coupled to panel  51 .  
         [0041]     Panel  51  includes stitching lines  69  to form bottom panel  40 . Panel  51  is attached, for example with stitching, to first end panel  71  and second end panel  72  for forming carrier  70  including cavity  74  within carrier  70 , as shown in  FIG. 9A . Yarn  69  can be released from yarn pocket  11  through opening  29  adjacent closure member  23 , as shown in  FIG. 9B . Accordingly, closure member  23  can retain a ball or skein of yarn or thread in yarn pocket  11  while allowing a strand from the ball or skein to extend from the yarn pocket and be unraveled from the ball or skein for use in the needlecraft project. Carrier  70  has a width in the range of about 16 inches to about 20 inches, preferably 18 inches.  
         [0042]     In an alternate embodiment, panel  51  has a reduced width for forming a smaller carrier  80 , as shown in  FIGS. 10A-10C . For example, carrier  80  has a width in the range of about 8 inches to about 15 inches, preferably 12 inches. A pair of yarn pockets  11  are formed between panel  51  and inner panel  60 . Inner panel  60  is attached with stitching at side  64  for forming one side of bottom panel  40 . Panel  51  is attached with stitching at side  54  for forming the other side of panel  40 . Notion pocket  16  and needle holder  14  can be formed on inner panel  52 . End panel  81  and second end panel  82  have a sufficient length for attachment to panel  51  to form carrier  80  including cavity  84 , as shown in  FIG. 11 .  
         [0043]     In an alternate embodiment, the carrier has a smaller width, preferably 9 inches, and includes a single yarn pocket. It will be apparent to those skilled in the art that any combination of pockets and panels may be located on the inside or outside panel  51 , first end panel  71 , second end panel  72 , first end panel  81 , and second end panel  82 .  
         [0044]     While preferred embodiments are described in the foregoing description, such description is to be considered as exemplary and not restrictive in character, it being understood that only embodiments have been described and that all changes and modifications that come within the spirit of the invention are described to be protected. There are a plurality of advantages of the present disclosure arising from the various features and associated method described herein. It will be noted that alternative embodiments of the invention of the present disclosure may not include all of the features described yet still benefit from at least some of the advantages of such features.