Abstract:
A flexible tri-fold garment bag has an elongate integral body with a front and rear flexible panel and a peripheral side flexible panels connected to the front and rear flexible panel along the mutual peripherial edges thereof. A top flexible strap handle is connected at the top of the bag to the rear panel, and a mid flexible strap handle is connected to the rear panel at the upper end of a lower one-third of the bag body. The top handle is longer the mid handle so that the thickness of the bag body when filled with garments can be accomodated.

Description:
RELATED APPLICATIONS  
       [0001]     This application claims priority on United States Provisional application Ser. No. 60/425,743 filed Nov. 13, 2002, the entire contents of which is incorporated herein by reference. 
     
    
     FIELD OF THE INVENTION  
       [0002]     This invention relates in general to garment bags and in particular to a soft type of garment bag which can be folded into three sections often called tri-fold bags and is capable of containing different items of clothing which are housed in their entirety within the garment bags.  
       BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION  
       [0003]     Garment bags are either the hard, stand alone type or the soft type. The soft type of garment bag either has a frame or is frameless, and both types must be hung or laid flat on a supporting surface because they are unable to stand upright in either the folded or unfolded state. Soft type garment bags have come into extensive use in recent years and are generally of the type having flexible walls and a cover with a closure means such as a zipper to provide an enclosed housing for garments. The bags are usually provided with means on the top thereof for suspending the bag while loading and unloading the same with garments of various lengths that are usually mounted on a hanger. The garment bag can be provided with a clamp that receives and fixedly holds the hanger. Once loaded, the garment bag can be folded for more convenient transport or carried in an extended condition.  
         [0004]     Examples of garment bags of the hard frame type are disclosed in the following U.S. patents, each of which is also incorporated herein by reference: U.S. Pat. Nos. 5,330,049; 3,958,675; 3,221,848; 2,862,586; 2,689,631; 2,671,706; and 2,606,636. These bags also provide examples of the various types of features available with such bags and examples of different mechanisms for retaining the clothes hangers inside the bag.  
         [0005]     An example of a double fold, soft-type garment bag is disclosed in U.S. Pat. No. 3,958,675, incorporated herein in its entirety by reference, and in  FIGS. 1-6  herein.  
         [0006]     A soft type garment bag has been previously sold. This bag is described as follows. The bag has a substantially rectangular front panel with a rounded top portion and a flat bottom portion. The front panel is divided by a conventional zipper that extends from the top portion to the bottom portion into a left hand section and a right hand section. A top flexible cloth handle is attached to the top portion and a corresponding bottom flexible cloth handle is attached to the bottom portion. A hook part of a conventional metal hanger that is mounted inside the bag would extend above the top portion of the bag.  
         [0007]     The bag has a substantially rectangular rear panel which has substantially the same shape and dimensions as the front panel, and thus has a rounded top portion and a flat bottom portion. The rear panel has an exterior side and an interior side. An outwardly extending top pocket is attached, such as by sewing, to the exterior side of the rear panel, and an inwardly extending bottom pocket is attached, such as by sewing, to the interior side of the rear panel. Two zippers are located at the tops, respectively, of the top pocket and bottom pocket. The top pocket has a vertically extending gusset located in the middle thereof so as to allow for expansion of the top pocket.  
         [0008]     The top handle has two ends which are attached, such as by sewing with a conventional box stitch, respectively, to the exterior side of the rear panel spaced slightly down from the top portion. Two additional horizontally extending stitches respectively connect a portion of the handle near its ends to a top periphery of the rear panel. Thus, there is a small part or loop of each handle end that is essentially somewhat like a belt loop on pants. Similarly, the bottom handle has two ends which are attached, such as by sewing with a conventional box stitch to the exterior side of the rear panel spaced slightly down from the bottom portion. Two additional horizontally extending stitches respectively connect a portion of the bottom handle near the ends thereof to a bottom periphery of the rear panel. Thus, there is a small part or loop of each handle end that is essentially somewhat like a belt loop.  
         [0009]     An elongate attachment strap is fixedly, transversely connected to the bottom handle. The strap has a conventional attachment means, such as Velcro or a similar attachment means, at each of the ends thereof for connecting the two ends thereof into a ring. In this way the strap can be wrapped around the top handle when the bag is in a folded state.  
         [0010]     The bag has an end or peripheral panel. The end panel completely encircles the peripheries of the front and rear panels and is attached thereto, such as by sewing, with respective bindings.  
         [0011]     The front and back panels and the end panel are made of a plastic, laminated flexible sheet material.  
         [0012]     A conventional hanger clamp, or clamping lock, clamps the neck of hangers extending outside of the garment bag and holds them in place.  
         [0013]     Many of the bags disclosed in the prior art are adapted for carrying short to medium length garments such as a jacket or a shirt, or a folded piece of clothing such as folded trousers. Those bags are inadequate for compact carrying while preventing wrinkling of a long piece of clothing such as a night gown or a long winter coat. Thus, there is a need for a garment bag that can be easily and neatly carried in a compact fashion and can contain and protect long garments mounted on hangers without wrinkling the garments. In addition, there is a need for such a bag to fold up into a size that can be easily carried and easily stored under the conventional seats of an airplane or in the overhead compartment of an airplane. There is also a need for a bag that is lighter, less expensive and easier to manufacture.  
       SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION  
       [0014]     The present invention overcomes the deficiencies of the prior art by providing a flexible tri-fold garment bag adapted for carrying long garments without wrinkling them. A flexible tri-fold garment bag according to an embodiment of the present invention comprises an elongated, flexible, front wall and an elongated, flexible, back wall connected to the front wall by a relatively narrow gusset which is attached to a peripheral portion of the front wall and to a peripheral portion of the back wall by sewn bindings. The front wall is comprised, in one specific embodiment of the present invention, of two lateral portions joined by a zipper which extends from a top portion of the front wall to a bottom portion of the front wall. In other embodiments, the zipper can be located near an edge of the front wall, along two or three sides of the front wall, or can even be positioned diagonally across the front wall. Also, in still further embodiments the garment bag can have more than one zippered opening. The back wall comprises three sections or folds: a first, top section, a second, middle section, and a third, bottom section. The top section and the middle section are separated by a first, intermediate spacing section, and the middle section and the bottom section are separated by a second, intermediate spacing section. Two handles are attached to the bag, one at the top of the bag and the other on the second, intermediate spacing section between the middle section and the bottom section of the back wall. The handles allow the bag to be carried either in an unfolded configuration, or in a folded configuration. Each section of the back wall is equipped with a pocket whose interior is accessible through at least a zippered opening located at the pocket top.  
         [0015]     The unique configuration of both pockets and handles of the presently preferred embodiment of the invention enables the garment bag to fold into three sections, or folds, that are fully supported by the handles when carried in folded or unfolded configuration. The handle attached to the second, intermediate spacing section is shorter than the handle attached to the bag top. The special placement and size of the handles enable the bag to retain its shape in the folded state, while permitting the bag and attached pockets to be stuffed full, thereby providing maximum space for garments and accessories.  
         [0016]     Still further advantages of the specific embodiment of the present invention include the top pocket comprises three vertical pleats for appearance and functionality. A self-trim fabric binding secures the zippered opening to the top of the pocket and secures the pleats in place.  
         [0017]     The top pocket also comprises a bottom gusset. This bottom gusset comprises a bottom portion of the top pocket, folded on one side and sewn onto itself with a first strip of self-trim fabric binding, and sewn on the other side to the bag with a second strip of self-trim fabric binding.  
         [0018]     Additionally, the structure of the pockets prevents the bag from tearing when packed and carried in the folded position. 
     
    
     BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS  
       [0019]      FIG. 1  is a perspective view in scale of a tri-fold bag according to the present invention shown in an unfolded configuration, taken from the back and left side of the bag;  
         [0020]      FIG. 2  is a rear elevational view of the bag of  FIG. 1 ;  
         [0021]      FIG. 3  is a front elevational view of the bag of  FIG. 1 ;  
         [0022]      FIG. 4  is a bottom plan view of the bag of  FIG. 1 ;  
         [0023]      FIG. 5  is a top plan view of the bag of  FIG. 1  depicting a clothes hanger clamping lock;  
         [0024]      FIG. 6  is a side elevational view of the bag of  FIG. 1 ;  
         [0025]      FIG. 7  is a rear perspective view of the tri-fold bag of  FIG. 1  in a semi-folded configuration hanging by a mid-section handle and with a zipper for a depicted middle pocket being open;  
         [0026]      FIG. 8  is a rear elevational view of the bag of  FIG. 1  depicted in a completely folded configuration;  
         [0027]      FIG. 9  is a front elevational view of the bag of  FIG. 8 .  
         [0028]      FIG. 10  is a side elevational view of the tri-fold bag of  FIG. 1  depicted in a partially folded configuration;  
         [0029]      FIG. 11  is a perspective view, taken from above and on the left side, of the bag of  FIG. 8  in a completely folded configuration hanging from a hook; and  
         [0030]      FIG. 12  is a perspective view taken mostly from above of the bag of  FIG. 1  depicting the upper part of the bag with the zipper (not shown) being opened so as to show the interior of the bag.  
         [0031]      FIG. 13  is a bottom plan view similar to  FIG. 4 , but with the bag being stuffed so as to depict certain features of the bag. 
     
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT  
       [0032]     With reference now to the figures wherein like elements have the same number throughout the several views, and in particular with reference to  FIGS. 1-11 , there is depicted a flexible tri-fold bag  200  according to a preferred embodiment of the present invention.  
         [0033]     As shown particular in  FIGS. 1 and 3 , a flexible tri-fold garment bag  200  is depicted in an unfolded configuration. Bag  200  has a substantially rectangular front panel  202  with a rounded top portion  204  and a flat bottom portion  206 . Front panel  202  is divided by a conventional zipper  208  that extends from the top of top portion  204  to a top section of bottom portion  206  into a left hand section  210  and a right hand section  212 . A top flexible cloth handle  214  is attached to a top portion of bag  200 . A hook part of a conventional metal hanger H extends above top portion  204  of bag  200 .  
         [0034]     As particularly depicted in  FIG. 2 , bag  200  has a substantially rectangular rear panel  222  which has substantially the same shape and dimensions as front panel  202 , and thus has a rounded top portion  224  and a flat bottom portion  226 . Rear panel  222  has an exterior side  228 , as depicted in  FIG. 2  and an interior side  230 , as depicted in  FIG. 12 . An outwardly extending upper pocket  232  is attached, such as by sewing, to exterior side  228  of rear panel  222  at a location adjacent to and below rounded top portion  224 . An inwardly extending lower pocket  234  is attached, such as by sewing, to interior side  230  of rear panel  222  at a location adjacent to and above flat bottom portion  226 . A middle pocket  233  is attached, such as by sewing, to exterior side  228  of rear panel  222  at an intermediate location between upper pocket  232  and lower pocket  234 . As shown in  FIG. 2 , a flexible cloth handle  216  is attached to rear panel  222 , at a location between middle pocket  233  and lower pocket  234 .  
         [0035]     Attachment means for connecting one part of garment bag  200  to another part, other than by sewing, include such conventional methods as using an adhesive or by welding, such as hot fusion welding.  
         [0036]     Upper pocket  232  has a central, vertically extending, gusset  236  located in the middle thereof, and two vertical extending end gussets  238  and  240 , so as to allow for expansion of upper pocket  232 . Middle pocket  233  has a vertically extending gusset  242  located in the middle thereof so as to allow for expansion of middle pocket  233 .  
         [0037]     Upper pocket  232  has a top zipper  244  and lower pocket  234  has a top zipper  246 . Middle pocket  233  has two zippers, a top zipper  248  and a bottom zipper  250 , which allows access to the interior of middle pocket  233  when bag  200  is in either an unfolded or a folded position.  
         [0038]     Rear panel  222  has a intermediate section  252  between upper pocket  232  and middle pocket  233 , to accommodate enough room for a completely filled lower pocket  234  between a completely filled upper pocket  232  and a completely filled middle pocket  233  when in a folded configuration as shown in  FIGS. 8, 9  and  11 . Intermediate section  252  provides bag  200  with a wide bottom surface.  
         [0039]     Upper pocket  232  has a bottom gusset  254 , as particularly depicted in  FIG. 13 , which is comprised of a bottom portion  256  of upper pocket  232  sewn on one side to rear panel  222  with a first self-trim fabric binding  258 , and sewn on another side onto itself with a second self-trim fabric binding  260 . Bindings  258  and  260  provide the requisite support for upper pocket  232  and prevent tearing thereof when bag  200  is folded.  
         [0040]     As depicted in the figures, a peripheral gusset  262  is attached to front panel  202  and to rear panel  222  along their sides, bottom and top. Gusset  262  is sewn to a peripheral edge of front panel  202  with a strip of a self-trim fabric binding  264 , and it is sewn a peripheral edge of rear panel  222  with a strip of a self-trim fabric binding  266 .  
         [0041]     In one embodiment of the invention, front and back panels  202  and  222  and end panel  282  are made of a flexible sheet material such as a  600  denier polyester cover and laminated with a PVC backing. However, the sheet material can be any conventional material to include a polyester canvas, nylon and cloth.  
         [0042]     Exemplary dimensions of bag  200  are as follows. Bag  200  has an overall length of 52 inches and as shown in  FIG. 2  is divided into six sections: a top section  302  that extends to the top of bag  200  and is 5 inches high; a top pocket section  304  that is 10 inches high; a middle spacing section  306  that is 72 inches high; a middle pocket section  308  that is 132 inches high; a lower spacing section  310  that is 3 inches high; and a bottom pocket section  312  that extends to the bottom of bag  200  and is 13 inches high. obviously these dimensions are only of the particularly disclosed embodiment of the present invention and other dimensions can be used.  
         [0043]     The present garment bag  200  has a thickness of 3 inches at the top portion  204 , but the bag  200  can be much thicker in the central areas and particularly in the pocket areas when bag  200  is completely full. Thus, the height of spacing sections  306  and  310  must be varied as the overall thickness of an unfolded bag  200  changes so that bag  200  can be folded into three folds and upper pocket  232  and middle pocket  233  can be aligned in the folded state, as seen for example in  FIG. 11 .  
         [0044]     Turning now to  FIG. 7 , garment bag  200  is depicted hanging from handle  216  in a semi-folded position. As can be seen in  FIG. 7 , bottom pocket section  312  and middle pocket section  308  have been aligned and located so as to be in contact with each other. Lower spacing section  310  is now in a top position relative to the rest of bag  200 .  
         [0045]     As also can be seen in  FIG. 7 , handle  216  has two ends,  270  and  272  which are attached, such as by sewing with a conventional box stitch  274  and  276 , respectively, to portions of rear panel  222  located inside middle pocket  233 . Bottom zipper  250  of middle pocket  233  (which in this semi-folded view is now located at the top of the figure) has an interior rim  282  and an exterior rim  284 . Interior rim  282  is sewn to rear panel  222  with a strip of self-trim binding at a location slightly higher than box stitches  274  and  276  when garment bag  200  is hanging in the semi-folded position depicted in  FIG. 7 . Handle ends  270  and  272  are located between interior rim  282  and rear panel  222  at two additional points of attachment  278  and  280 , respectively.  
         [0046]     Handle  214  has two end portions  281  and  283  which are attached to rear panel  222  by two box stitches (not shown) located inside upper pocket  232 . Handle end portions  281  and  283  are also sewn between rear panel  222  and zipper  244  at attachment points  286  and  288 , respectively. Two additional horizontally extending stitches  190  and  192  respectively connect a portion of handle  214  to a periphery of rounded top portion  224  of rear panel  222 . Thus, there is a small part or loop  293  of each handle end of handle  214  that is essentially somewhat like a belt loop on pants.  
         [0047]     An elongate attachment strap  218  is fixedly, transversely connected to bottom handle  216 . Strap  218  has a conventional, Velcro or similar attachment means at each of the ends thereof (not shown) for connecting the two ends thereof into a ring, such as shown in  FIG. 7 . In this way strap  218  can be wrapped around top handle  214  when bag  200  is folded, as shown in  FIGS. 8, 9  and  11 .  
         [0048]     With continuing reference to  FIGS. 4, 5 , and  6 , there are depicted, respectively, the bottom portion, one side portion, and the top portion of peripheral gusset  262 . Gusset  262  completely encircles the peripheries of front and rear panels  202  and  222  and is attached thereto, such as by sewing, with respective bindings  264  and  266 .  
         [0049]     A hanger clamp  294 , shown in  FIG. 5 , clamps the neck of hangers extending outside of the garment bag and holds them in place as depicted in  FIG. 3 .  
         [0050]     In use, bag  200  is folded by first holding handle  216  up as depicted in  FIG. 7 , thereby bringing bottom section  312  in contact and aligned with middle section  308 . In a second step, top section  304  is lifted up by pulling handle  214  up, to bring top section  304  in contact and aligned with bottom section  312 , as depicted in  FIGS. 8, 9  and  10 .  
         [0051]     As depicted in  FIG. 11 , handle  214  is slightly longer than handle  216 , in order to accommodate for extra thickness of the pockets and the main cavity when bag  200  is fully loaded and held in a folded position. This difference of length also allows bottom section  312  to be positioned between top section  304  and middle section  308  without disrupting the alignment of the pockets when bag  200  is held in a folded position. Handle  216  being shorter than handle  214  allows sections  308  and  312  to be carried in a higher position when bag  200  is held in a folded configuration, and thereby permits middle spacing section  306  to easily be folded around the bottom of section  312  even when the bag is fully loaded.  
         [0052]     During manufacturing of the bag, the bottom gusset is created on the pocket by folding the pocket at a point where the gusset begins, and sewing the first strip of self-trim fabric binding across the fold to create one side of the bottom gusset, thereby also securing the pleats in place. The other side of the bottom gusset is then sewn to the bag with the second strip of self-trim fabric binding.  
         [0053]     The spacing section between the top pocket and the middle pocket is specifically adapted to accommodate enough room for the bag to fold around the bottom third section when carried in a folded position, and also to ensure that the top and middle pockets are properly positioned on either side of the bag in the folded position.  
         [0054]     Although only one exemplary embodiment of the present invention has been described above, it will be appreciated by those skilled in the art that many changes may be made to these embodiments without departing from the principles and the spirit of the invention.  
         [0055]     We Claim: