Abstract:
A soft foldable case for wrapping dense loop material around an object to be protected, such as a pair of eyeglasses. The case material has front and rear sides and length and width dimensions greater than at least that portion of the object to be protected. The front side of the case material is formed with a dense arrangement of loop material capable of interlocking with opposing hook material, the loop material having length and width dimensions greater than the object, the sheet of material being capable of folding around the object. Strips of hook material adjacent ends of the front surface of the case material, secure the folded case.

Description:
FIELD OF THE INVENTION 
       [0001]    The invention relates to a case for wrapping around and holding an object, such as a pair of eyeglasses, and protects the object, especially its lenses or windows, from abrasion. 
       BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
       [0002]    There is a need for a device to securely hold and protect an object from abrasion. In a specific embodiment, there is a need for eyeglass cases that afford maximum protection in view of the high cost of prescription lenses, and which can hold, transport and protect many different types and sizes that do not fit in most ordinary cases. In addition, there is a need to protect handheld devices, such as cell phones and smart phones, cameras, calculators, Geiger counters, and the like. Most eyeglass cases contain flat surfaces in contact with eyeglass lenses. When abrasive material such as sand, grit, dirt or the like gets between the lenses and the flat surface, any movement can cause it to grind the lenses, causing scratches and damaging the lenses. Most eyeglass cases enclose the entire eyeglass structure, lenses and earpieces (also called temple pieces) together, allowing the tips of some eyewear ear pieces to remain in contact with the inner surface of the eyeglass lenses. Any motion allows the tips of the earpieces to rub against the lenses, creating a mark that can damage the coating of the lens and the lenses themselves. Other cases require complex manufacturing procedures or expensive components. Stechler U.S. Pat. No. 5,310,048 and Scribner U.S. Patent Application Publication No. 2014/190840 describe cases formed by stitching respectively from cushioning material and a cloth sheet but the result in each instance is a case open at one end in which the eyeglass and earpiece together are enclosed. Cummins U.S. Pat. No. 4,984,682 discloses a protective case having a felt inner lining and a construction whereby the earpieces are shielded from the lenses, but the felt surface can retain sand, grit or dirt that falls into the case and the case requires significant manufacturing costs. Baratelli et al. U.S. Pat. No. 4,267,923 describe a case formed to separate the earpieces from the eyeglass lenses by stitching or by heat sealing from any of various materials including plastics, leather, cloth or the like and can be a hard rigid case or a soft flexible case or a soft case having a rigid liner, the result being a case open at one end and which provides scant protection from sand, grit or dirt. Lorton U.S. Pat. No. 5,706,935 describes an eyeglass case that is part of a personal article receptacle and which is formed or rigid front and back sides, cushioning material being provided only on the interior surface of a flap. The flap folds and snaps onto the front side of the case to separate the earpieces from the eyeglass lenses and prevent the earpieces from getting bent, but there is scant protection from sand, grit or dirt. Yabarra U.S. Pat. No. 5,513,744 describes a rigid and complex case structure that separates the earpieces from the eyeglass lenses and prevents the earpieces from getting bent, but there is scant protection from sand, grit or dirt. Chung-Cho Huang U.S. Patent Application Publication No. 2009/0188814 describes a rigid case structure that separates the earpieces from the eyeglass lenses, but there is scant protection from sand, grit or dirt. Walker et al. U.S. Pat. No. 5,014,846 describes a pouch that separately encase the earpieces of a pair of eyeglasses but covers only the front surfaces of the lenses, providing scant protection from sand, grit or dirt. Cassel U.S. Pat. No. 5,553,321 and Rothan U.S. Pat. No. 5,913,416 describe a visor cap that keeps eyeglass earpieces from contacting the lenses but leaves at least portions of the lenses exposed providing only limited protection. 
       BRIEF SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
       [0003]    The present invention provides a soft foldable case that can wrap around an object to be protected such as a pair of eyeglasses or a phone or other similarly delicate instrument, and is particularly useful and formed to wrap around a pair of eyeglasses regardless of the shape of the lenses. It is simple and inexpensive to manufacture and easy to use to safely encase the eyeglasses in a soil, cushioning material while preventing the tips of the earpieces from coming into contact with the inner surfaces of the eyeglass lenses, again regardless of the shape of the lenses. In a particular embodiment, the case is formed from a sheet of material that can substantially isolate the lenses of the eyeglasses from sand, grit or dirt that falls into the case. More particularly, the case is formed of a sheet of loop material having a dense arrangement of tiny nylon loops that interlock with a dense arrangement of tiny nylon hooks when pressed together as, for example, with opposing pieces of loop and hook material such as Velcro®. When folded to wrap around the eyeglass lenses, the only material in contact with the lenses is the loop material, which has spaces under the loops adjacent the supporting fabric for any sand, grit or dirt to remain isolated away from contact with the lens or other surfaces until it is shaken or washed out of the case. Different angles and widths at either end of the case can adapt to most eyeglass sizes, and either end can be folded over first, depending on the characteristics of the eyeglasses or other object to be protected. The lenses rest upon and are cushioned by a dense array of thousands of tiny, flexible, nylon loops. When folded around the eyeglasses, (1) any sand, grit or dirt rests below the tops of the loops, and (2) the tips of the earpieces cannot touch the lenses. Strips of opposing hook material can be placed to secure the folded portions of the case. 
         [0004]    In a particular embodiment, the case comprises two layers, each with plain fabric on one side and the loop material on the opposite side, and which are secured together by stitching or heat sealing along their edges with the loop material sides outward. Prior to securing the layers of fabric together, a pocket can be attached to the inside of one of the layers and an opening formed in the case for access to the pocket. One or more straps containing strips of opposing hook material can secure the closure of the case and/or to provide a loop to carry or hang the case out of harm&#39;s way. A single strap can be inserted through the case with a short end extending from one edge and a longer end extending from the other edge. Each end bears a strip of opposing hook material placed so that the short end closes the case when the case is completely folded and so that the longer end can provide a finger grip Loop to carry or hang the case and to prevent an object inside from falling out from an end of the case when being carried, hung from the opposite strip, or “parked” on a surface via adhesive-backed hook material. Alternatively, short and long straps can be connected to the edges of the case by stitching or heat sealing. Prior to assembly of the case, a pocket can be attached to the inside surface of one side of the case with access to it by a slit formed through one side of the case. The pocket can be lined, e.g. with silk, and provides a convenient receptacle for a lens-cleaning cloth, cash or credit cards, or the like, while not interfering with the main protective functions of the case. The pocket can additionally serve as an auxiliary wallet. 
         [0005]    While created to protect eyeglass lenses, the case can alternatively be used carry other objects, such as a phone, camera, calculator, Geiger counter or the like. A stick-on strip of opposing hook material can be affixed to a surface at one&#39;s bedside or in an office, or on the dashboard of a car, and the case carrying a phone can be attached to it, enabling battery charging or hands-free conversations using a wireless networking technology such as Bluetooth®. 
     
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
         [0006]    For a more complete understanding of the present invention, reference is now made to the following descriptions taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawing, in which: 
           [0007]      FIG. 1  is a perspective view of the back side of a soft foldable case of this invention, in open, unfolded position, with the long and short ends of a strap extending from the edges of the case; 
           [0008]      FIG. 2  is a planar view of the back side of the unfolded case; 
           [0009]      FIG. 3  is a planar view of the front side of the unfolded case; 
           [0010]      FIG. 4  is a right side edge view of the unfolded case as it is shown in  FIG. 3 ; 
           [0011]      FIG. 5  is a right side edge view of the unfolded case as it is shown in  FIG. 2 ; 
           [0012]      FIG. 6  is a bottom edge view of the unfolded case as it is shown in  FIG. 3 ; 
           [0013]      FIG. 7  is a top edge view of the unfolded case as it is shown in  FIG. 3 ; 
           [0014]      FIG. 8  shows the placement of a pair of eyeglasses face down on an upper part of the unfolded case, with its earpieces projecting upwardly; 
           [0015]      FIG. 9  shows a top portion of the case being folded as a flap onto the eyeglass lenses and frame; 
           [0016]      FIG. 10  shows the eyeglass earpieces folded onto the flap covering the lenses; 
           [0017]      FIG. 11  shows a top portion of the case, including the flap, folded over to cover the earpieces; 
           [0018]      FIG. 12  shows a bottom portion of the case folded over the top portion of the case; 
           [0019]      FIG. 13  shows the fully folded case closed by the short end of the strap; 
           [0020]      FIG. 14  shows the case fully folded ease with the long end of the strap secured to form a loop; and 
           [0021]      FIG. 15  illustrates the fully folded and closed case being held by a user&#39;s hand placed through the loop. 
       
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION 
       [0022]    Referring to  FIGS. 1, 2, and 4-7 , the soft foldable case  10  of this invention has two layers or plies, a front layer  12 , more particularly shown in  FIG. 3 , and a rear layer  14 . Each layer  12  and  14  has plain fabric on one side is formed of loop material on the opposite side. The loop material comprises a dense arrangement of tiny nylon loops that can interlock with a dense arrangement of tiny nylon hooks when pressed together, as for example, opposing pieces of a loop and hook material such as Velcro®. The front and rear layers  12  and  14  are secured together by stitching or heat sealing along their edges with the loop material sides outward. Prior to securing the layers of fabric together, a strap  16  is placed between the opposing layers  12  and  14  to be secured therein so as to have a short strap portion  18  protrude from one side of the assembled case  10  and a long strap portion  20  protruding from the opposite side of the case  10 . Referring to  FIGS. 3-7 , strips  22  and  24  of hook material are respectively fixed adjacent the ends of the short and long strap portions  18  and  20 . Strips  26  and  28  of hook material are fixed, respectively adjacent the top and bottom edges  30  and  32  of the front layer  12  of the case  10 . Also prior to securing the layers of fabric together, a pocket, shown in shadow at  34 , can be attached to the inside of the front layer  12  and an opening formed in the case for access to the pocket  34 , shown as a slit  36  in  FIG. 3 . The pocket can be lined, e.g. with silk, and provides a convenient receptacle for a lens-cleaning cloth, cash or credit cards, or the like, while not interfering with the main protective functions of the case. The pocket can additionally serve as an auxiliary wallet. 
         [0023]    The case can have different shapes to accommodate different types of objects. Referring back to  FIG. 2 , a shape particularly suitable for eyeglasses is shown. The case  10  has a rectangular central section  38  and trapezoidal top and bottom sections  40  and  42 , with rounded corners. The rectangular section  38  has a length in a range from 2 to 4 inches and a width in the range of 4 to 8 inches. Each trapezoidal section  40  and  42  has a length in the range of 2 to 5 inches, a base width in the range of 4 to 8 inches, and a top edge width in the range of 2 to 5 inches. The overall length is in a range from 6 to 16 inches. In a specific embodiment, the rectangular section  38  has a length of 4¾ inches and a width of 6 inches. One trapezoidal section has a height of 3½ inches, a base width of 6 inches, and a top edge width of 3¾ inches. The other trapezoidal section has a height of 2½ inches, a base width of 6 inches, and a top edge width of 3¼ inches. The overall unfolded length is 10¾ inches. 
         [0024]    Assembly of the case about a pair of eyeglasses is shown in  FIGS. 8 to 14 . Referring to  FIG. 8 , the lenses  44  of a pair of eyeglasses, shown in shadow, are placed wherever they can fit, with the outer surface of the lenses  44  against the dense loop surface of the front  12  of the case  10 , and with the eyeglass earpieces  46  extending upwardly. Referring to  FIG. 9 , atop portion of the case  10  is folded as a flap  48  over the eyeglass lenses  44 , and secured by the strip of hook material  26 , enclosing the eyeglass lenses  44  in the dense loop material. Referring to  FIG. 10 , the earpieces  46  are folded over and onto the surface of the folded top portion  48  of the case  10 . As shown in  FIG. 11 , the top portion of the case, including the already folded flap  48 , is folded again so that the earpieces are encased in the dense loop material, as shown at  50 . As shown in  FIG. 12 , a bottom portion of the case  10  is folded upwardly as a flap  52  to complete the wrapping of the case  10  around the eyeglass lenses and earpieces, secured by the strip of hook material  30 , enclosing the eyeglass lenses  44  in the dense loop material. As shown in  FIG. 13 , the short strap portion  18  is then folded over the flap  52 , secured by the strip of hook material  22 . Finally, the long strap portion  20  is wrapped around the case  10  onto the rear of the case  10  and secured by the strip of hook material  24  to form a loop, which as shown in  FIG. 15  can accommodate the fingers of a user. 
         [0025]    Whereas most uses for the loop component of a loop and hook material such as Velcro® (or any other loop material that has space under the loops for sand or grit to be isolated away from surfaces to be protected) is to serve as a locking mechanism for the hook portion, the present invention uses it as well for its superb cushioning properties and to isolate any sand, grit or dirt away from the loop outer surfaces. The dense loop material surrounding the case also cushions the impact of a fall when the case is dropped, particularly useful to prevent damage to sensitive instruments carried in the case such as a smart phone. The folded arrangement presented here prevent eyeglasses, or other object from falling out from an end of the case when being carried, or when hung by the loop formed by the long strap  20  and allows the case to be “parked” on a surface via adhesive-backed hook material, such as on the dashboard of a car. In that regard, the case provides a very useful way of using a phone in car equipped with Bluetooth® technology. 
         [0026]    While a preferred form of the invention has been illustrated with sheets of material in which the entire surfaces, both front and back, have been covered with dense loop material, in alternative embodiments, the loop material can be in sections arranged so as to be provide cushioning and protection in key areas. Additionally, or alternatively, a case can be constructed where only the front of the sheet of material is formed with loop material, the opposite side containing strips of loop material placed in strategic locations to provide closures similar to the preferred embodiment. In another alternative embodiment, there are no strips of hook material on the front surface of the case, in which case the short strap  18  is used as the sole securement, or only the top or bottom strip of hook material is used, or where securement is obtained with only one or more strips of hook material attached to the loop surface of the case. 
         [0027]    Although the present invention has been described in connection with the preferred embodiments, it is to be understood that modifications and variations may be utilized without departing from the principles and scope of the invention as such modifications may be practiced within the scope of the following claims.