Abstract:
A frame for facilitating storage, transport, stacking and organizing garments includes four panels linearly aligned and connected by folds or creases. The rear panel has two flaps extending transversely. The frame is integrated with a shirt when folding such that the front panel positions the front of the shirt on the front of the folded frame. The flaps extend across the front of the shirt and detachably engage to secure the shirt in a semi-rigid state having a cuboid shape. The cuboid shape is maintained by the frame and facilitates stacking, organizing, transport and storage.

Description:
CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS 
       [0001]    This application claims priority to U.S. Provisional Application Ser. No. 61/704,718, filed Sep. 24, 2012, the contents of which are hereby incorporated in its entirety. 
     
    
     STATEMENT REGARDING FEDERALLY SPONSORED RESEARCH OR DEVELOPMENT 
       [0002]    Not Applicable. 
       REFERENCE TO SEQUENCE LISTING, A TABLE, OR A COMPUTER PROGRAM LISTING COMPACT DISC APPENDIX 
       [0003]    Not Applicable. 
       BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
       [0004]    1. Field of Endeavor 
         [0005]    The present invention relates to a frame for storing and organizing a garment. More particularly, the present invention provides an apparatus and system for folding, stacking, displaying, storing and organizing a shirt or other clothing in a manner that prevents wrinkling of the garment. 
         [0006]    2. Background 
         [0007]    It is often desirable to have garments, for example shirts, t-shirts, dress shirts, sweaters, pants, jackets and other articles of clothing that are smooth and without wrinkles. Wearing wrinkled clothing presents a poor image unsuitable in almost all social and business environments. 
         [0008]    In an ideal world, there would be unlimited closet space where garments such as shirts, blouses, sweaters, sweatshirts, pants, etc. would be hung on thick padded hangers with sufficient space between the hangers to avoid having the garments touching. However closet space is often limited and clothing on hangers are tightly squeezed against each other, or folded and stuffed into drawers. Unless a person is accessing only the top item in a drawer, the items stored above a lower item must be carefully removed and often re-folded to avoid having all the items pull out and/or become wrinkled. 
         [0009]    Storage causes wrinkling of as the articles of clothing (garments) move against one another, producing wrinkles in the fabric that will set in. It is also generally necessary to store these various garments economically within drawers, suitcases, boxes, on shelves and in other places. Often, folding of garments results in creases throughout the garment. Further, constant shuffling of garments, while searching for a particular one, rearranging or transferring garments from one place to another results in wrinkles throughout the garment. Because garments, even while folded, are typically supple and nonrigid, they are highly susceptible to wrinkling even when care is taken. This requires additional ironing of garments. It also makes transferring, transporting, storing and organizing garments difficult and frustrating. 
         [0010]    These problems are also known in the retail clothing sales industry, where shoppers continuously unfold garments to view them or try them on and then return the garments to a display shelf without properly refolding the garment. Further, shoppers generally rifle through stacks of garments for sale, creating wrinkles in most or all the garments on an entire shelf. As a result retail sales persons have an increased work load and additional stress. 
         [0011]    It is therefore desirable to provide an apparatus and system to allow a clothing article to keep its folded form and prevent unwanted wrinkles in the clothing article. 
         [0012]    It is also desirable to provide an apparatus and system to allow a clothing article to keep its folded form and prevent unwanted wrinkles from forming in the clothing article when the clothing article is folded. 
         [0013]    It is also desirable to provide and apparatus and system to allow a clothing article to keep its folded form and store, organize, display, transport and transfer garments while preventing unwanted wrinkles from forming in the clothing article when the clothing articles are placed in storage or transit. 
       BRIEF SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
       [0014]    Accordingly, the primary object of the present invention is to provide a garment frame for neatly and efficiently stacking and storing garments. 
         [0015]    In one embodiment of the invention, a frame to be integrated with a garment comprises a front panel, a secondary panel, a tertiary panel, a rear panel and two flaps extending transversely from the rear panel. The front panel, secondary panel, tertiary panel, and rear panel are connected by folds. The flaps have a structure and/or pads for facilitating removable engagement. The frame may be of unitary design with creases in the material comprising the folds separating the panels. The flaps may be rigid or supple. The frame may incorporate ornamentation such as trademarks or logos and may incorporate odiferous materials to repel insects or to improve the smell of clothing integrated with the frame. 
         [0016]    It is therefore an object of the present invention to provide a simple, cheap and convenient folding device suitable for fast and easy folding and storing of garments and apparel and to prevent wrinkling. 
         [0017]    It is another object of the present invention is to provide a folding device which can be easily manipulated by any person without the necessity for professional training or special skills. 
         [0018]    It is another object of the invention is to provide a folding device suitable for folding and storing garments and apparel in a compact folded configuration inside suitcases, briefcases, bags and other small volume places, while preventing wrinkling. 
         [0019]    It is another object of the invention to provide a means of storing and stacking garments and apparel such that they may be viewed and identified without unfolding it or other adjacent garments or apparel. 
         [0020]    These and other objects and advantages of the present invention will become apparent from a reading of the attached specification and appended claims. There has thus been outlined, rather broadly, the more important features of the invention in order that the detailed description thereof that follows may be better understood, and in order that the present contribution to the art may be better appreciated. There are features of the invention that will be described hereinafter and which will form the subject matter of the claims appended hereto. 
     
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
         [0021]    A more complete understanding of the present invention, and the attendant advantages and features thereof, will be more readily understood by reference to the following detailed description when considered in conjunction with the accompanying drawings wherein: 
           [0022]      FIG. 1  is a perspective view of a garment frame in accordance with the principles of the present invention; 
           [0023]      FIG. 2  is rear view of a garment frame with a shirt in accordance with the principles of the present invention; 
           [0024]      FIG. 3  is a rear view of a garment frame partially integrated with a shirt in accordance with the principles of the present invention; 
           [0025]      FIG. 4  is a rear view of a garment frame partially integrated with a shirt in accordance with the principles of the present invention; 
           [0026]      FIG. 5  is a perspective front view of a garment frame partially integrated with a shirt in accordance with the principles of the present invention; 
           [0027]      FIG. 6  is front view of a garment frame partially integrated with a shirt in accordance with the principles of the present invention; 
           [0028]      FIG. 7  is front view of a garment frame integrated with a shirt in accordance with the principles of the present invention; 
           [0029]      FIG. 8  is a front view of an alternative embodiment of the flaps in accordance with the principles of the present invention; 
           [0030]      FIG. 9  is a side view of an alternative embodiment of the frame in accordance with the principles of the present invention; 
           [0031]      FIG. 10  is perspective view of an alternative embodiment of a garment frame in accordance with the principles of the present invention; 
           [0032]      FIG. 11  is a is rear view of an alternative embodiment of a garment frame with a shirt in accordance with the principles of the present invention; 
           [0033]      FIG. 12  is a perspective view of an alternative embodiment of a garment frame partially integrated with a shirt in accordance with the principles of the present invention. 
       
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION 
       [0034]    Before explaining at least one embodiment of the invention in detail, it is to be understood that the invention is not limited in its application to the details of construction and to the arrangements of the components set forth in the following description or illustrated in the drawings. The invention is capable of other embodiments and of being practiced and carried out in various ways. Also, it is to be understood that the phraseology and terminology employed herein are for the purpose of description and should not be regarded as limiting. 
         [0035]      FIG. 1  shows a garment frame  10  comprised of several panels. The front panel  12  is attached at a transverse fold  14  to the secondary panel  16 . The secondary panel  16  is attached at a transverse fold  18  to the tertiary panel  20 . The tertiary panel  20  is attached at a transverse fold  22  to the rear panel  24 . The rear panel  24  includes two flaps  26  and  27  each having a fold  28  and  29  respectively. The frame may optionally have a single, unitary body, comprised of s single piece of material. The frame  10  may be comprised of a substantially rigid material such as metal or wood or may be of semi-rigid material such as cardboard, reinforced cardboard, posterboard, or plastic. 
         [0036]    Optionally, the frame  10  may be constructed of different materials which may comprise various components of the frame  10 . For example, a solid, rigid material may be covered with padding, an elastomer or cloth material to comprise the frame  10 . Optionally each of the panels  12 ,  16 ,  20  and  24  of the frame  10  may be comprised of a square wire or other solid material and covered in a material to form a rectangular shape. Each of the folds may be a crease in the material such that the frame  10  may be of unitary design. For example, the frame  10  may be comprised of plastic, where the panels are sufficiently thick to make them suitably rigid, while the transverse folds may be comprised of the same plastic, but substantially thinner and thus flexible. Optionally, the folds  14 ,  18 ,  22  and  28  may be comprised of a flexible material connected to panels made of a more rigid material. Optionally, the folds may be hinges or other pivotable or rotatable mechanisms. 
         [0037]      FIG. 2  shows the frame laid across the back of a shirt  40  having a sleeve  42  on a first side  44  and a sleeve  46  on a second side  48 . In this embodiment, the frame  10  is placed on the back of the shirt  40  such that the first side  44  is the left side and the second side  48  is the right side. Optionally, the frame  10  may be placed upon the front of the shirt  40  and the shirt may be folded inverse to the manner illustrated in this Figure. Frame  10  may placed longitudinally along the back of the shirt  42 . The frame  10  may have a length such that the fold  22  between the tertiary panel  20  and the rear panel  24  may be located just below the bottom  50  of the shirt. Optionally, the shirt bottom  50  may extend past the fold  22 . 
         [0038]      FIG. 3  shows the first side  44  folded over the frame  10  along the first crease  45  shown in  FIG. 2 . The sleeve  42  may be folded between the side  44  and the frame  10 . Optionally, the sleeve  42  may be folded on the outside of the shirt side  46 . Optionally, the frame may be wider such that it may provide sufficient room such that the sleeve may not need to be folded over or under the side  44 .  FIG. 4  shows the second side  48  folded over the first side  44  along the second crease  47  shown in  FIG. 2 . Folding along creases  45  and  47  may result in the total width of the shirt folded about the frame  10  only slightly wider than the width of frame  10  itself. 
         [0039]      FIG. 5  shows how the frame  10  may be folded along the folds  14 ,  18  and  22 . The front  52  of shirt  40  may be located on the front side of front panel  12 . The secondary panel  16  may be folded along fold  14  about 180 degrees such that it may be flush with the front panel  12 . The tertiary panel  20  may then be similarly folded along fold  18  approximately 180 degrees, but may be pivoted along the fold in the opposite direction such that it may be flush with the secondary panel  16  and not the front panel  12 . Rear panel  24  may also be similarly folded along fold  22  approximately 180 degrees such that it may be flush with the tertiary panel  20 . 
         [0040]    Once the panels  12 ,  16 ,  20  and  24  are folded together, they may lie flush with the front panel  12  on top and the rear panel  24  on the bottom as shown in  FIG. 6 . In  FIG. 6 , flap  27  has been folded over the shirt and integrated frame  10 . When flap  26  is folded over flap  27 , as shown in  FIG. 7 , pads  54  and  56  engage to hold the flaps in place over the front panel  12  and associated shirt  40 . Pads  54  and  56  may be comprised of any suitable structure or mechanism for detachable engagement, for example, the pads may use hook and loop mechanism, tongue and groove structure, one or more snaps, magnets, or the like. 
         [0041]    The frame may be similarly used for long-sleeve shirts, sweaters, coats, jackets, dress shirts, vests or other garments. The final geometric shape of the shirt with integrated frame as shown in  FIG. 7  is substantially a cuboid parallelepiped. As a result, it may facilitate economic, efficient and flexible storage and transport of the garments. It also may facilitate stacking both horizontally and vertically. In addition, a shirt with an integrated frame in accordance with the principles of the invention may allow viewing of the front of the garment, removal from a stack of garments and insertion of the garment into a stack of garments without causing wrinkling of the garments manipulated. 
         [0042]      FIG. 8  shows an alternative embodiment of the flaps  62  and  64  in accordance with the principles of the present invention. flap  62  has a slit  68  and flap  64  has a corresponding complimentary slit  66 . Slits  66  and  68  may interconnect to hold the flaps in place. This may be preferable to using a magnetic pad because it may not require additional materials. Thus if the flaps of  FIG. 8  are utilitzed, the entire frame may be comprised of a single unitary body. Other mechanisms may similarly be used, such as for example a tongue and groove mechanism as commonly used with cereal and cracker boxes intended to be opened and closed repeatedly. 
         [0043]      FIG. 9  shows an alternative embodiment of a frame  70  in accordance with the principles of the invention. Frame  70  is integrated with a folded shirt  72  and held in a substantially parallelepiped configuration by flap  74 . flap  74  includes an upper tab  76  and a corresponding lower groove  78 . The frames  70  may be stacked, horizontally or vertically such that tabs  76  align with grooves  78  to facilitate stacking, organizing, storage and display of the garments. Other designs and mechanisms may also be used to facilitate stacking of the frames and integrated garments. 
         [0044]    The flaps may be of a rigid or supple material such as for example the flaps may be made of ribbon or cloth, or may be of a rigid material. If the flap material is cloth, ribbon or other supple material, crease  28  and  29  may not be necessary. Optionally, one or more panels or one or more flaps may include ornamentation such as, for example, a logo or trademark of a garment manufacturing company or retail sales company. Optionally, the frame may be infused with a pleasant odor, for example cedar, to improve the smell of the garments with which they may be integrated. Similarly, the frame may incorporate one or more components designed to repel insects as is known for use with moth balls. 
         [0045]      FIG. 10  shows an alternative embodiment of a frame  90 . Frame  90  may be comprised of front panel  92 , secondary panel  96  and rear panel  100 . Front panel  92  may be attached to secondary panel  96  by transverse fold  94 . secondary panel  96  may be connected to rear panel  100  by transverse fold  98 . Flaps  106  and  017  may extend laterally from rear panel  100  and include folds  108  and  109  respectively. 
         [0046]    As shown in  FIG. 12 , a shirt  120  may be placed face-down on a surface and frame  90  may be placed on top of it such that fold  98  is just below shirt bottom  130 . A first side  124  of the shirt  120  may include a sleeve  122  and be folded over the frame  90  by folding it along a first crease  125 . Similarly, a second side  128  having a sleeve  126  may be folded along a second crease  127 . 
         [0047]      FIG. 12  shows how the frame  90  may then be folded at folds  94  and  98  after the sides  124  and  128  have been folded over the frame  90  along creases  125  and  127  respectively. When the frame  90  has been folded, the front panel  92  lies on the top and the rear panel  100  lies on the bottom with secondary panel  96  sandwiched between them. The flaps  106  and  107  may be folded over the front panel  92  and engaged to hold the frame  90  and shirt  120  together in a compact shape. 
         [0048]    Whereas, the present invention has been described in relation to the drawings attached hereto, it should be understood that other and further modifications, apart from those shown or suggested herein, may be made within the spirit and scope of this invention. Descriptions of the embodiments shown in the drawings should not be construed as limiting or defining the ordinary and plain meanings of the terms of the claims unless such is explicitly indicated. 
         [0049]    As such, those skilled in the art will appreciate that the conception, upon which this disclosure is based, may readily be utilized as a basis for the designing of other structures, methods and systems for carrying out the several purposes of the present invention. It is important, therefore, that the claims be regarded as including such equivalent constructions insofar as they do not depart from the spirit and scope of the present invention.