Clothes protector cover

The present invention provides a new and useful clothes protector cover comprised of a rectangular left sheet, a rectangular right sheet, and a plurality of grommets located on the upper edge of each of the sheets. A clothes hanger, upon which an item of clothing may already be hung, is threaded through a grommet on the left sheet and a corresponding grommet on the right sheet and hung on the hanger bar. This is repeated throughout the length of the sheets until all items of clothing are hung on the hanger rod and thereby protected by the clothes protector cover. This provides a means by which the clothes protector cover is held in place immediately above the protected items of clothing and thereby prevents the accumulation or settling of dust on the items of clothing.

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

The present invention relates generally to the field of clothing protection. More specifically the present invention relates to a clothes protector cover and an improved means for protecting clothing in a closet or other storage area from dust, particulate matter, and the like.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

When items such as clothing or the like are hung from a rod or bar in a closet or other similar storage area, dust inevitably settles on the hanging items. Such dust is unsightly and may even cause permanent damage to the clothing. Furthermore, once the clothing is soiled with dust, the owner of the clothing may be required to use the services of a professional cleaner to return the clothing to its normal, clean state. This can become costly when numerous articles of clothing become soiled by dust.

In the prior art, many devices have been disclosed for protecting items of clothing from dust, particulate matter, or the like. Various dust protective measures exist in which items of clothing are individually protected in a garment bag or a protective sleeve. Other protective means include the use of sheets or covers draped over an entire closet area.

The measures in the prior art which protect only an individual item of clothing are limited in that one would need to use many such devices to properly cover all items of clothing in a closet. Additionally, such an endeavor is time consuming since each individual item of clothing must be contained in an individual garment protector. Furthermore, the time required to simply remove an article of clothing from the closet would greatly increase. To do so also would become costly since there is an associated cost for each individual garment bag.

The measures in the prior art that include draping sheets over the closet area are overly burdensome. Additionally, such an apparatus is usually located several inches above the clothing desired to be protected and still allows for the circulation of air and the dust flowing freely in it to settle upon articles of clothing.

These and other problems exist. Previous attempts to solve these and other problems include the following:

U.S. Pat. No. 6,499,636, issued to McCool on Dec. 31, 2002, discloses an improved clothing protector comprising a cover for clothes hangers shaped to slip over the hook of the hanger and to be supported by the wings of the hanger. The clothing protector is comprised of two panels of foam material, such as polyurethane, leaving a space to receive the hook of the hanger, and formed with a slip-resistant surface. After joining, the panels to tend to flare out, providing an area for supporting an article of clothing. However, this clothing protector is placed over or upon a clothing hanger, not over an article of clothing already on a hanger, and is thus really only a hanger cover, not a clothing cover.

U.S. Design Pat. No. Des. 427,782 issued to St. L-Morency on Jul. 11, 2000 discloses the ornamental design for a clothes protector for a hanger.

U.S. Pat. No. 5,564,577, issued to Knaggs on Oct. 15, 1996, discloses an apparatus for protecting clothes hanging on a hanger bar in a closet from dust. The apparatus employs an elongated roller assembly that is provided with an extensible and retractable, preferably transparent, sheet member and also at least one elongated rod-like member. However, this protective apparatus remains above the hanger bar and any clothing. Clothes hangers holding items of clothing are not threaded through the sheet comprising the protective cover. Thus, this apparatus is more like a retractable shade, curtain, or blind over items of clothing located in a closet.

U.S. Pat. No. 6,811,027, issued to Alexander on Nov. 2, 2004, discloses a polyethylene garment protector, extensively used by garment manufacturers to protect garments in transport to and from various facilities such as factories, distribution centers, and retail establishments. However, this garment protector is for use with an item of clothing in transit, not for use in a closet or the like, wherein the entire clothing contents are desired to be covered by a protective apparatus.

U.S. Pat. No. 5,078,668 to Endres on Jan. 7, 1992, discloses a method of making a garment protector that is of high quality, having an envelope structure made of cloth fabric with an easy access opening in one of its sides covered by a flap member. However, this garment protector is for use with an individual item of clothing, and is not designed for use to cover the entire clothing contents of a closet.

U.S. Pat. No. 5,697,508 to Rifkin on Dec. 16, 1997, discloses a method of protecting garments during transportation by shrouding the garments. This method may be considered practical for transporting garments in the garment trade, but would not be practical in the day-to-day use in selecting clothes from an individual's closet since the clothing is completely enclosed from the bottom up. To remove clothing from this type of system would be very cumbersome on a day-to-day basis.

U.S. Pat. No. 5,788,067 to Marcellis on Aug. 4, 1998, discloses a gift wrap garment bag that protects an individual item of clothing that hangs over the individual clothes hanger. While this is practical for protecting an individual piece of clothing, it is not practical for protecting a plurality of garments in a clothes closet with easy access on a daily basis.

U.S. Pat. No. 2,026,464 to Fleischer on Dec. 31, 1935, discloses a garment protector for individual items of clothing. While this is practical for protecting an individual piece of clothing it is not practical for protecting a plurality of garments in a clothes closet with easy access on a daily basis.

U.S. Pat. No. 7,124,884 B2 to Felsenthal on Oct. 24, 2006, discloses a garment protector system for completely enclosing garments and including a means of incorporating a pocket for chemical protection of the garment(s). While this is practical for a chemical protection of moths and the like for long-term storage, it is not a practical application for protecting a plurality of garments to be used on a daily basis from dust.

U.S. Pat. No. 1,611,584 to Farkash and Rosenthal on Dec. 21, 1926, discloses a garment bag with a side opening for single garment. While this is a practical application for a minimal number of garments, it does not provide easy access and protection to a plurality of garments to be used on a daily basis from dust and the like.

U.S. Pat. No. 2,462,966 to Henry on Mar. 1, 1949 discloses a garment protection bag for long-term storage of a garment for protection from moths and the like, it is not a practical application for protecting a plurality of garments intended to be used on a daily basis from dust and the like.

U.S. Pat. No. 4,236,634 to Benedict on Dec. 2, 1980, discloses a garment protection system to protect a plurality of garments. While this is a practical application for long-term storage of a plurality of garments, it is not a practical application to protect a plurality of garments from dust and the like since it completely encloses the garments and does not provide for easy selection on a daily basis.

U.S. Pat. No. 1,097,544 to Goldberg on May 19, 1914, discloses a garment protector for individual items of clothing. While this is practical for protecting an individual piece of clothing, it is not practical for protecting a plurality of garments in a clothes closet with easy access on a daily basis.

U.S. Pat. No. 1,136,346 to Krebs on Apr. 20, 1915, discloses a garment protector for individual items of clothing. While this is practical for protecting an individual piece of clothing, it is not practical for protecting a plurality of garments in a clothes closet with easy access on a daily basis.

U.S. Pat. No. 4,140,163 to Usner on Feb. 20, 1979, discloses a method of protecting a plurality of garments shrouding the garment. This method may be considered practical for long-term protection of garments, but would not be practical in the day-to-day use in selecting clothes from an individual's closet since the clothing is completely enclosed from the bottom up. To remove clothing from this type of system would be very cumbersome on a day-to-day basis.

U.S. Pat. No. 2,351,882 to Schwartzman on Mar. 18, 1943, discloses a method of protecting a plurality of garments shrouding the garments. This method may be considered practical for long-term protection of garments, but would not be practical in the day-to-day use in selecting clothes from an individual's closet since the clothing is completely enclosed. To remove clothing from this type of system would be very cumbersome on a day-to-day basis and also cumbersome in viewing the desired garment for selection.

U.S. Pat. No. 1,314,608 to Roach on Sep. 2, 1919, discloses a method of protecting a plurality of garments shrouding the garments. This method may be considered practical for long-term protection of garments, but would not be practical in the day-to-day use in selecting clothes from an individual's closet since the clothing is completely enclosed. To remove clothing from this type of system would be very cumbersome on a day-to-day basis and also cumbersome in viewing the desired garment for selection.

U.S. Pat. No. 2,278,185 to Pearson on Mar. 31, 1942, discloses a garment protector for individual items of clothing. While this is practical for protecting an individual piece of clothing it is not practical for protecting a plurality of garments in a clothes closet with easy access on a daily basis.

Additionally, there are products in the marketplace that seek to provide a protective cover for clothing. For example, Sears, the major US retailer, sells a garment rack cover, item number 00850330000, manufacturer's model number 7462389WM, at http://www.sears.com/sr/javasr/product.do?BV_SessionID=@@@@ 1606230013.113-5693 242@@@@&BV_EngineID=ccjladdgijfjedmcegecegjdghldggo.0&vertical=SEARS&-sid=10093600050004500085&pid=00850330000. This cover is used to cover a mobile garment rack and protect the clothing contained within. Also, Alco Sales and Service sells a garment rack cover kit, part AL-51324, made of coated nylon, located online at http://www.alcosales.com/Alco/AlcoProd.nsf50dfebd4b26e8d5f86256a140048fd-ce/f54d1 878dcb203fd862569df0044dd65!OpenDocument&Highlight=0,al-51321. The cover is also used to fit a mobile garment rack. HangerCity sells garment storage devices that hang from a rod in a closet. One such product is garment bag, product number 8113910, located online at http://www.hangercity.com/caclst.html. These are examples of a few of the many products sold that either cover individual garments in a garment protector or cover a mobile rack of garments in transport rather than cover an entire closet directly above the protected hanging articles of clothing.

While these patents and other previous devices and methods have attempted to solve the above mentioned problems, none have provided for a clothes protector cover in the same manner as the present invention. Therefore, a need exists for such a device and method of manufacture and use.

BRIEF SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

In various embodiments, the present invention provides a new and useful clothes protector cover. The clothes protector cover is comprised of a rectangular left sheet, a rectangular right sheet, and a plurality of grommets located on the upper edge of each of the sheets.

In one exemplary embodiment, the grommets are located along the upper edge of each rectangular sheet. A clothes hanger, upon which an item of clothing may already be hung, is threaded through a grommet on the left sheet and a corresponding grommet on the right sheet and hung on the hanger bar. This is repeated throughout the length of the sheets until all items of clothing are hung on the hanger rod and thereby protected by the clothes protector cover. This provides a means by which the clothes protector cover is held in place immediately above the protected items of clothing and thereby prevents the accumulation or settling of dust on the items of clothing.

In another exemplary embodiment of the present invention, the clothes protector cover further includes one or more of various means by which the left sheet and right sheet can be fastened together when an item of clothing on a clothes hanger is not present and when an empty clothes hanger is not used to secure the left and right sheets together. These various means include the use of snap hook clasps, shower curtain hangers, ribbons, hanger hooks, cords, and the like.

In yet another exemplary embodiment of the present invention, a method of manufacturing and use of a clothes protector cover is described.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

Referring now toFIG. 1, a side planar view of a clothes protector10is shown. The clothes protector cover10is comprised of a left sheet40, a right sheet42, and a plurality of grommets60. The clothes protector cover10is shown upon a clothes hanger50, which is placed upon a hanger rod20. An item of clothing30is also shown hanging from the clothes hanger50. The clothes protector cover10is used to protect hanger-suspended items of clothing hung from a horizontal hanger rod20. The clothes protector cover10is used in closets, storage areas, or the like, wherein a generally horizontal hanger rod20is located.

The hanger rod20is a traditional cylindrical wooden dowel rod, or the like, common in many closets, but may be any generally horizontal means by which items of clothing may be hung. For example, many new closets and storage areas use wire-frame shelving, the underside from which hangers are placed.

The left and right sheets40and42are generally rectangular in shape, with a width of approximately twenty six inches and a length of approximately ninety inches. The width of a sheet40or42refers to the sheet direction from the base of the hook of the clothes hanger50along the shoulder of the clothes hanger50then in a downwardly vertical direction along the sleeve of side of an item of clothing in a direction toward the closet floor. The length of a sheet40or42refers to the distance along the horizontal direction of the sheet parallel to the hanger rod20. These dimensions are representative of one embodiment of the present invention. Various widths and lengths may be used to manufacture the left and right sheets40and42. Additionally, for larger closets, more than one clothes protector cover10may be used, coupling two or more pairs of sheets40and42together to form one continuous length of clothing protection.

The left and right sheets40and42are comprised of fabric, but may be made from a similar material. The various materials may include, but are not limited to, cotton, polyester, plastic, silk, or wool. The fabric is preferably transparent to allow for viewing of the items of clothing without the need to lift a sheet40or42for viewing. The fabric is preferably of a washable composition. Furthermore, the substance with which the sheets are made must be of a moderate or light weight so as to not compress or compromise the items of clothing located underneath. The edges of the fabric sheets40and42may be hemmed on all four sides in order to reinforce the edges and therefore prevent any fraying of the sheets40and42during washing or otherwise.

Each sheet40and42contains a plurality of grommets60installed along one edge of the side with the longer dimension. The grommets60are spaced along each sheet so that they will match when the two sheets40and42are placed side-by-side and such that a clothes hanger50or other clasp device will securely hold the two sheets40and42together. Preferably the grommets60are placed approximately fourteen inches apart; however, this distance may vary as needed. Additionally, the distance between the grommets60need not be uniform. The grommets60have an approximate inside diameter of seven sixteenths of an inch to accommodate both wire hangers as well as larger tubular hangers. The clothes protector cover10is installed such that a grommet60is positioned at each end along one length side of each sheet40or42. Additional grommets60are then evenly placed between the two end grommets60on each sheet. Items of clothing on a clothes hanger50may be hung through the grommets60to help hold the clothes protector cover10in place or may be hung on the hanger rod20without being threaded through the grommets60.

The clothes protector cover10is used by placing the left sheet40over the left shoulder of the clothes hanger50, threading the clothes hanger through a grommet60, placing the right sheet42over the right shoulder of the same clothes hanger50used for the left sheet40, threading the clothes hanger through another grommet60, and placing the clothes hanger on a hanger rod20. The clothes protector cover10may also be used by installing the sheets40and42in reverse order. The left and right sheets40and42may also be installed by using one or more of the various, optional clasps as illustrated inFIGS. 8 through 13. Additionally, the left and right sheets40and42are easily placed into position upon the hanger rod20without removing the items of clothing from the hanger rod20.

Referring now toFIG. 2, a side perspective view of a clothes protector cover10is shown. The clothes protector cover10is shown along an entire length of a hanger rod20as it would be situated in a closet or similar storage area. The left sheet40and the right sheet42are shown draped across both sides of all of the items of clothing and threaded with a plurality of clothes hangers50. The clothes protector cover10and the protected clothing are shown hanging from the hanging rod20on clothes hangers50which are placed through the grommets60prior to being hung on the hanger rod50. The clothes hangers50support both the clothes protector cover10and all of the items of clothing.

Referring now toFIG. 3, a side perspective view of a clothes protector cover10is shown. The clothes protector cover10is shown on a hanger rod20. The left sheet40and the right sheet42are shown draped across both sides of the hanging items of clothing30. The clothes protector cover10and the items of clothing30are shown hanging from the hanging rod20on clothes hangers50which are threaded from the underside through the grommets60of the left and right sheets40and42of the clothes protector cover10before being placed on the hanger rod20.

Referring now toFIG. 4, a top perspective view of a clothes protector cover10is shown. The clothes protector cover10is comprised of a left sheet40, a right sheet42, and a plurality of grommets60. A clothes hanger50is shown first threaded through a grommet60on the right sheet42and then threaded through a grommet60on the left sheet40. This threading process is continued down the length of both the left sheet40and the right sheet42, pairing the grommets60together in order with each inserted clothes hanger50. Optionally, the sheets40and42could be threaded such that the left sheet40is placed over the clothes hanger50first. Each clothes hanger50may then be placed on a hanger rod to both hang an item of clothing and also to hold securely the clothes protector cover10in place.

Referring now toFIG. 5, a side planar view of a clothes protector cover10is shown. The clothes protector cover10is comprised of a left sheet40, a right sheet42, and a plurality of grommets60. The clothes protector cover10is shown here with the left and right sheets40and42extending down in a vertical direction protecting the front portion of the first item of clothing placed on a clothes hanger50. At the opposite end of the clothes protector cover10, the left and right sheets40and42also extend down in a vertical direction on the back side of the last item of clothing placed on a clothes hanger50. This is an optional means of installing the clothes protector cover10. The installation begins with the second grommet60of the two sheets40and42placed on the same clothes hanger50and continuing to install all of the grommets on clothes hangers50up until the next to last grommet of both sheets, leaving the last grommet60of each sheet40and42free from placing on a clothes hanger and hanging in a vertical direction to protect the back side of the last item of clothing. An optional cedar ball70or cedar disk72, already available in the consumer market, may be placed on a cord74and threaded through the first grommet of the left sheet40and the first grommet of the right sheet42to further protect the clothing. The cedar ball70and the cedar disk72are aromatic and protect items of clothing by deterring moths from nesting in the clothing fabric such as wool.

Referring now toFIG. 6, a top planar view of a clothes protector cover10is shown. The clothes protector cover10is comprised of a left sheet40, a right sheet42, and a plurality of grommets60. The grommets60are preferably spaced apart from one another on the same sheet at a distance of fourteen inches, but they may be spaced apart at distances other than those shown. Additionally, the spacing between grommets60need not be uniform on the same sheet, so long as the grommets60are placed on one sheet in a matter that matches with the other sheet. Items of clothing on a clothes hanger50may be hung through the grommets60to help hold the clothes protector cover10in place or may be hung on the hanger rod20without being threaded through the grommets60.

Referring now toFIG. 7, a top planar view of a clothes protector cover10is shown coupled to a second clothes protector cover12. This installation accommodates closets or storage areas wherein the hanger rod is longer than the length of the left and right sheets40and42in a single clothes protector cover10. The installation is accomplished by threading the grommets60of the left sheet40and right sheet42of the first clothes protector cover10on the same clothes hanger as the first grommets of the left sheet44and right sheet46of the second clothes protector cover20. This installation illustrates how two clothes protector covers10and12may be joined together. However, more than two may be joined together as needed, depending on the length of the closet or storage area.

FIGS. 8 through 13illustrate a variety of clasps that can be used to fasten together the left sheet40and right sheet42of the clothes protector cover10. For example, these various clasps may be used when no clothes hanger50and associated item of clothing30, or empty clothes hanger50, is threaded through a pair of grommets60in order to hold together the left sheet40and the right sheet42.

Referring now toFIG. 8, a top planar view of a clothes protector10is shown with a hanger hook86. The hanger hook86is comprised of a top portion similar to that of a clothes hanger. The bottom portion of the hanger hook86is smaller and is threaded through the grommets60of the left and right sheets40and42.

Referring now toFIG. 9, a top planar view of a clothes protector cover10is shown with a conventional snap hook clasp80. The snap hook clasp80is threaded through the grommets60of the left and right sheets40and42.

Referring now toFIG. 10, a top planar view of a clothes protector cover10is shown with a cord74, cord stop76, and cord knot78. This illustrates yet another means by which the left sheet40and right sheet42of the clothes protector cover10may be held together. The cord74, or similar material, is threaded through the grommets60of the left and right sheets40and42and secured with a cord stop76. A cedar ball70, with a narrow hole drilled through it, optionally may be used on the cord74and secured in place by a cord knot78.

Referring now toFIG. 11, a top planar view of a clothes protector cover10is shown with a shower curtain hanger82and decorative knob83. The shower curtain hanger82is available in the consumer market in many varying designs. The shower curtain hanger82is shaped similar to an “S” and is threaded through the grommets60and used to hold together the left and rights sheets40and42of the clothes protector cover10. The shower curtain hanger82is adorned with a decorative knob83. Shown here, the decorative knob83is a circular disk attached to the shower curtain hanger82.

Referring now toFIG. 12, a top planar view of a clothes protector cover10is shown. The left sheet40and right sheet42of the clothes protector cover10are shown held together by the use of a cord74, a cedar ball70, and a cedar disk72. A loop is formed in the cord74and threaded through the grommets60of the left and right sheets40and42. The opposite ends of the cord74are then fed through the loop. The opposite ends of the cord74secure a cedar ball70and a cedar disk72in place with a cord knot78.

Referring now toFIG. 13, a top planar view of a clothes protector cover10is shown. The left sheet40and right sheet42of the clothes protector cover10are shown held together by the use of a ribbon84tied into a bow.

Referring now toFIG. 14, a top planar view of a clothes protector cover10is shown. The left sheet40and right sheet42of the clothes protector cover10are shown held together by the use of a cord74, a cord stop,76, a cedar ball70, and a cedar disk72. The opposite ends of the cord74secure a cedar ball70and a cedar disk72in place with a cord knot78. Also illustrated are multiple clothes hangers50which are located between the left and right sheets40and42and under their protection from dust, but are not, however, threaded individually through the grommets60. The grommets60in this figure are held together by an optional clasp and the clothes hangers50are placed on the hanger rod20intermittently between the clasps holding the left and right sheets40and42together.

Although the present invention has been illustrated and described with reference to preferred embodiments and examples thereof, it will be readily apparent to those of ordinary skill in the art that other embodiments and examples may perform similar functions and/or achieve similar results. For example: the left and right sheets40and42of the clothes protector cover10may be made from various materials and made to various lengths and widths, the grommets60of each sheet40and42may be secured together by one or more of various clasping means, and the grommets60may be spaced apart on each sheet40and42at varying distances. All such equivalent embodiments and examples are within the spirit and scope of the invention and are intended to be covered by the following claims.