Abstract:
Disclosed is an adhesable garment pocket and method of attachment that is adapted to create a secure connection with a target garment, provide a securable pocket enclosure and further a novel connection means that contemplates several ornamental designs and configurations. The garment pocket comprises coextensive adhesive backing surface that is preferably enlarged with respect to the pocket, wherein a pocket flap is connected to the backing surface along three of its sides. The backing surface provides a continuous surface area, preferably extending beyond the boundaries of the pocket flap, wherein the rear side of the backing surface comprises adhesive bonding material. The backing surface is designed to include varying boundary shapes, colors, embossments and patterns to create a unique pocket background, while its continuous surface area ensures a stable and long-term connection to the target garment without the use of fasteners or stitching.

Description:
CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION 
       [0001]    This application claims the benefit of U.S. Provisional Application No. 61/496,848 filed on Jun. 14, 2011, entitled “Iron-On-Cargo Pockets.” The patent application identified above is incorporated here by reference in its entirety to provide continuity of disclosure. 
     
    
     BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
       [0002]    1. Field of the Invention 
         [0003]    The present invention relates to garment pockets and adhesable articles thereto. More specifically, the present invention relates to a new and improved adhesable pocket system and method of attachment having a backing structure that is both decorative and functional, while the adhesive is heat or pressure activated and sufficient to create a permanent connection to the garment once applied thereto. 
         [0004]    Individuals utilize garment pockets for transporting articles for a number of reasons, most notably for shrouded storage and transport of articles they may not otherwise wish to carry in the open or by hand. Another common reason for pockets is for purely decorative purposes, wherein the pocket itself is stylish and a point of emphasis on the garment exterior. Most all garments include some form of pocket thereon or therein to address the first of these two uses; however decorative pockets on garments for the purposes of creating a stylish, personalized or custom look thereon is not as readily common on garment purchased from the store. Iron-on and adhesable aftermarket pockets are commonly available, and generally include a heat or pressure activated strip of adhesive that secures the pocket perimeter to the garment of choice, creating a new pocket location that was originally not provided. These articles are well described in the prior art and are commonly utilized for creating temporary pockets, patches or covers over existing garments using the perimeter adhesive as a securing means. 
         [0005]    The common flaw associated with attachable pockets of this type are the very small contact region provided between the pocket periphery and the garment. Generally these devices are utilized to pack a hole, to add storage capacity to a garment or to create a temporary patch thereon. The relatively thin line of connection and overall surface area of the bond is generally kept to a thin strip of adhesive that bonds the edges of the pocket to the garment to establish the pocket interior space and boundaries thereof. Pockets utilizing this type of bond are prone to peeling away, falling off or offer very little in the way of storage capacity, as the bond strength is not sufficient to withstand continued use or placement of heavy articles within the pocket while maintaining connection with the garment. 
         [0006]    A further consideration absent of most existing garment pockets or attachable pockets is the customization and personalization of the pocket with respect to the garment and the needs of a user. Some decorative garments may include more elaborate or emphasized pockets having particular designs, however very little consideration for custom pockets, aftermarket patch pockets and pocket backing structures, whereby the pocket may be incorporated into a larger design or one that is more personalized to the user&#39;s tastes. The present invention relates to an aftermarket or attachable pocket that includes a decorative and functional backing surface, wherein the backing surface provides an enlarged surface area along which to create a secure bond with a target garment. The backing surface is adapted to providing a coextensive bonding adhesives that may extend beyond the boundaries of the pocket perimeter, increasing the bond area and providing a background palette that is useful for creating an elaborate design or ornamental shape that emphasizes the pocket, incorporates the pocket into a larger design, or further creates a personalized design around the pocket for increased flare or decoration to the garment. 
         [0007]    2. Description of the Prior Art 
         [0008]    Devices have been disclosed in the prior art that relate to aftermarket and attachable garment pockets. These include devices that have been patented and published in patent application publications. These devices generally include adhesable garment patches and pockets that utilize a variety of structures for the purpose of creating temporary, replaceable or permanent pockets on a target garment. The devices deemed most relevant to the present disclosure are herein described for the purposes of highlighting and differentiating the unique aspects of the present invention, and further highlighting the drawbacks existing in the prior art. 
         [0009]    Specifically, U.S. Pat. No. 4,365,355 to Off discloses a patch pocket and method of construction thereof, wherein adhesive is provided adjacent to the bottom and side edges of a packet pocket blank desired to be connected to a garment. Adhesive is provided along the forward side of the pocket edges, whereby the edges are folded around when attaching to a target surface or garment. A stitch may further be added along the edge to reinforce the adhesive connection, if so desired. The folded edges create an inner volume within the pocket due to the offset of the pocket blank from the garment. While providing a new method of attaching a pack or pocket blank, the Off device provides a small width of adhesable connection along its outward periphery, which is folded back during attachment. Folding both sides and bottom edge during attachment can be troublesome and overly tedious, as folds at the connection of the side and bottom edge can create folds. These folds, and the tendency of the pocket to flatten, make the Off method overly tedious and prone to bond failure due to inadequate attachment adhesion. The present invention contemplates a continuous surface area utilized for adhering to a garment, wherein a pocket backing surface is provided having adhesive coextensively thereon to address currently available adhesable pockets with limited adhesive along their edges. 
         [0010]    U.S. Pat. No. 5,737,775 to Schwartz discloses a removable pocket formed over a section of a garment by adhesively securing to the garment. The pocket comprises two plies of paper bonded about the peripheries of the pocket, while a slit along the top edge of the assembly allows access to the pouch formed between the plies. The pocket assembly is pressed against a garment for creating a location to store objects or merchandise therein. The Schwartz disclosure further describes a process of forming a series of pockets releasably attachable to a support surface. The Schwartz pocket is formed of two sheets, wherein an outer sheet forms a peripheral connection to the garment and the opening slit for the pocket. An intermediate sheet is in connection to the outer sheet peripheral boundary to act as a backing to the pocket formed by the outer sheet slit. The present invention contemplates a continuous backing surface that bonds to the garment, while an attached pocket thereto creates a useful carrying pouch. The backing surface is adapted to be provided in a plurality of stylistic designs, shapes and sizes to suit a particular taste or interest of the user. 
         [0011]    Further, U.S. Pat. No. 5,809,576 to Huston describes an iron-on pocket for an article of clothing having an exterior pocket cover comprising a mesh material to allow water drainage and an adhesive strip for connecting the pocket along its sides and bottom to a target garment. While providing an attachable pocket that is particularly suited for wet environments wherein water drainage from the pocket is necessary, the Huston device only includes a thin line of connection between the pocket and the garment, wherein only the perimeter of the pocket is adapted to be adhered to the garment. The present invention realizes this is a common drawback in existing attachable pockets, wherein smaller contact areas utilized to establish connection between the garment and the pocket result in bond failure and thus failure of the pocket to remain connected to the garment. The present invention contemplates a continuous and preferably enlarged backing structure that is both decorative and functional as an enlarged adhesive contact area. 
         [0012]    U.S. Pat. No. 3,840,901 to Eyster discloses a similar structure as the Huston device, wherein a pocket assembly is disclosed having an adhesive means for attachment to a garment. The device comprises a pocket having a front panel and a pressure-sensitive adhesive along the periphery of the panel for adhering directly to a garment surface. The top of the structure is free of adhesive to allow the front panel to be pulled away from the garment for accessing the now-enclosed pocket created by the periphery adhesive and its connection to the garment. While providing a novel means to attach a pocket to a garment, the Eyster device is prone to bond failure due to its lack to contact area. The present invention contemplates a large backing surface to correct his flaw, while also disclosing a backing surface that may extend beyond the periphery of the pocket to create a palette that allows customization of the assembly to specific garments or user tastes. 
         [0013]    Finally, and similar to the Eyster and Huston devices, U.S. Pat. No. 4,651,355 to White describes a replaceable patch pocket having fastened corners and hook and loop connection patches therebetween to establish a peripheral connection of the pocket to the garment. The White device requires the use of fastener hardware to secure the pocket at its corner regions, and notably stud type fasteners that create a connection points that are adjacent to the hook and loop fastener strips between the fastened corners While disclosing a novel replaceable pocket, the White device discloses only a small strip of connection between the pocket and the garment, which is a similar failing of the aforementioned prior art devices. The use of stud fasteners reinforces this line of connection; however this structure diverges in intent and design from the present invention, which contemplates a large contact area and the use of only adhesive bonding. 
         [0014]    The present invention fulfills a long felt need in the art of garment pockets and adhesable pockets that has since been neglected and unaddressed by devices in the prior art. Notably, the present invention provides a new support structure and method of attachment for a garment pocket, wherein the support is both decorative and functional. The backing structure provides a coextensive and continuous bonding area upon which is mounted the pocket, and further an enlarged surface extending from the pocket flap periphery that provides a backside adhesive for connecting to a garment over an extended area for securement purposes. It is desired to utilize the extended backing structure as a decorative palette for personalizing and emphasizing the pocket on the target garment, whereby a number of decorative designs are contemplated. In light of the aforementioned prior art, it is submitted that the present invention address known flaws in the prior art, wherein the present invention structure and intent substantially diverges in design elements from the prior art. Consequently it is clear that there is a need in the art for an improvement to existing attachable garment pocket devices. In this regard the instant invention substantially fulfills these needs. 
       SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
       [0015]    In view of the foregoing disadvantages inherent in the known types of attachable garment pockets now present in the prior art, the present invention provides a new garment pocket wherein the same can be utilized for providing convenience for the user when securely and decoratively applying a new pocket to the surface of a garment. 
         [0016]    It is therefore an object of the present invention to provide a new and improved attachable garment pocket device that has all of the advantages of the prior art and none of the disadvantages. 
         [0017]    It is another object of the present invention to provide an attachable garment pocket device that securely and permanently affixes to a garment surface once applied, wherein the pocket does not require stitching or fasteners to remain in connection and while supporting articles within its pocket interior. 
         [0018]    Another object of the present invention is to provide an attachable garment pocket device and method of attachment having a structure that includes continuous and coextensive bonding area, wherein a backing surface may further extend beyond the periphery of the pocket to increase contact area and provide an means of accessorizing or personalizing the attached pocket. 
         [0019]    Yet another object of the present invention is to provide an attachable garment pocket device and method of attachment that provides a backing surface that is adapted to be shaped, colored, adorned and designed in a variety of different ornamental configurations, providing not only a pocket, but an entire assembly that includes at least one pocket thereon and one that is adapted to securely attach to a number of different garment surfaces. 
         [0020]    Other objects, features and advantages of the present invention will become apparent from the following detailed description taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings. 
     
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTIONS OF THE DRAWINGS 
         [0021]    Although the characteristic features of this invention will be particularly pointed out in the claims, the invention itself and manner in which it may be made and used may be better understood after a review of the following description, taken in connection with the accompanying drawings wherein like numeral annotations are provided throughout. 
           [0022]      FIG. 1  shows a front view of an embodiment of the present invention. 
           [0023]      FIG. 2  shows a cross section side view of an embodiment of the present invention. 
           [0024]      FIG. 3  shows a front view of an embodiment of the present invention. 
           [0025]      FIG. 4  shows a front view of another embodiment of the present invention, wherein the backing surface is adorned in a specific design that incorporates the pocket. 
           [0026]      FIG. 5  shows a front view of yet another embodiment of the present invention, wherein the backing surface is adorned in a specific design that incorporates the pocket. 
       
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION 
       [0027]    Reference is made herein to the attached drawings. Like reference numerals are used throughout the drawings to depict like or similar elements of the attachable garment pocket. For the purposes of presenting a brief and clear description of the present invention, the preferred embodiment will be discussed as used for securely attaching to a garment and providing a backing structure that ensure securement and a means to create specific and personalized pocket designs. The figures are intended for representative purposes only and should not be considered to be limiting in any respect. 
         [0028]    Referring now to  FIG. 1 , there is shown a front view of an embodiment of the present invention, wherein the embodiment is a basic form of the present invention that highlights the features that are utilized for improving contact with a target garment and for providing a means of personalization for the user. The device comprises an garment pocket having a backing surface  11  having a first and second side, along with a pocket flap  12  attachable along its peripheral ends to the first side of the backing surface  11 . The backing surface  11  is a support structure that first provides a coextensive and continuous adhesive along its second side, while also optionally extending outward from the periphery of the pocket flap  14  to extend the contact area and provide a decorative palette that is utilized personalize and decorative backing for the pocket. The backing surface  11  is a continuous structure that comprises an adhesive second side that is adapted to be securely connected to a garment. The continuous bond area and further increased areas beyond the pocket flap periphery of the backing surface  11  increase the overall contact area of the assembly to the garment and facilitates a stronger bond that resists bond failure and increases carrying capacity. Further, an extended backing surface allows the pocket support to be adorned, shaped or designed in a number of ways that personalize or emphasis the pocket structure of the present invention. 
         [0029]    The pocket flap  12  connects directly to the backing surface  11  along a line of connection  13  that is preferably stitched or otherwise fastened. This connection  13  extends around the boundary edge of the pocket  12  up to an opening that allows the user to fill the space between the pocket flap  12  and the backing surface  11  with articles desired to be carried or stored. The pocket flap may further include a closure means  14  that secures the open portion of the flap  12  closed, such as a button, snap or similar closure mechanism. Before securement of the attachable pocket to a garment, a thin film may cover the adhesive side of the backing surface  11 , whereby the adhesive is preserved and not exposed until the assembly is ready for attachment to a garment. This embodiment contemplates a pressure-sensitive adhesive, whereby the user presses the backing surface against a garment to obtain secure bonding thereto. In an alternate embodiment, the adhesive is not covered by film, and is heat activated. In this embodiment, a clothing iron is used to press the backing surface, which heats the adhesive, making it tacky and initiates bonding with the garment thereagainst. In either embodiment, the entire second side of the backing surface  11  is utilized at an attachment means for the pocket, providing a continuous contact area for increased bond strength and resistance to peeling and bond failure over adhesable pockets having adhesive only around its peripheral edges. 
         [0030]    Referring now to  FIG. 2 , there is shown a cross section side view of an embodiment of the present invention, wherein the pocket flap  12  is pulled away from the backing surface  11  to highlight its storage capacity  16  and an enlarged embodiment of the backing surface  11  in relation to the pocket flap  12 . As shown, the backing surface  11  includes adhesive along its second side  15 , which is adapted to be placed in contact with a target garment for securement thereto. The adhesive is coextensive with the second side  15  and bonds its entire area to the garment, ensuring a secure connection therewith and adequate support for the pocket flap  12  and articles therein. The pocket flap  12  may include an unstitched open section or may also have a closure flap thereover, depending on the design of the pocket and the preferences of the user. Securing the pocket  12  closed is a closure means  14  that may include a strip hook and loop fasteners, snaps, buttons or similar structure to secure closed the open portion of the pocket flap  12 . Along the backing surface  11 , there may further be provided more than one pocket thereon, wherein the backing surface  11  includes an area that encompasses all attached pocket flaps, wherein the pocket flaps  12  are each individually sewn or otherwise attached to the same surface  11  and secured to the garment. In this way, smaller pocket flaps or an oversized support surface  11  may be utilized in a larger pocket design. 
         [0031]    Referring now to  FIG. 3 , there is shown an embodiment of the present intention wherein the backing surface  11  of the present invention is constrained to the boundaries of the pocket flap  12  to reduce the overall area of the assembly when applied to a garment. In this embodiment, the backing surface  11  provides a continuous and coextensive adhesive along its second side, however, its area is kept to a minimum to reduce the size of the overall assembly. This embodiment is a simple form of the present invention, and provides a ready means to secure a pocket flap  12  to a smaller garment or secure a smaller pocket to a target garment. As with the previous embodiment, the pocket flap stitches or otherwise attaches to the backing surface  11  along its peripheral edge  13 , leaving a portion unsecured to allow access into the pocket. 
         [0032]    Referring now to  FIGS. 4 and 5 , there are shown embodiments of the attachable pocket device of the present invention, wherein the backing surface  11  is provided in a more elaborate and ornamental design that includes adornments  17 , a specific shape, texture and configuration that supports the pocket flap  12  in a decorative manner. As shown in  FIG. 3 , an embodiment having the face of an alien or cartoon character is presented, wherein the pocket flap  12  is positioned to look like the creature&#39;s mouth and the backing surface  11  shape is one that outlines and defines the facial features and head of the create. As shown in  FIG. 4 , an embodiment of a kangaroo animal is presented, wherein the pocket flap  12  is provided as the kangaroo pouch and the structure of the backing surface  11  defines the body shape and contours of the animal. It is desired to disclose two embodiments of the present invention, wherein the backing surface  11  of the pocket device is a continuous structure that provides a means of decorating the pocket flap  12  and further provides an increased contact area with the garment for improved support of the assembly. The oversized backing surface therefore serves dual purposes: support and a means of personalization of the assembly. It is not desired to limit the present invention to a specific design or shape, but rather it is desired to disclose the novel features of the present invention and their ability to personalize and improve the ability of the assembly to stay secured to a target garment over an extended period. The size, number and shape of the pocket flaps and backing surface may be determined by the specific assembly design, wherein a theme or character is chosen to suite a specific taste or style. 
         [0033]    Associated with the structure of the present attachable pocket device is an accompanying method, wherein an enlarged bonding area is utilized for attaching at least one pocket flap to an existing garment. Specifically, the method entails obtaining a free surface of an existing garment, and applying a pocket flap having a backing structure that is larger than the extents of the pocket flap to the garment using an adhesive surface along the backside of the backing structure. The method contemplates utilizing the backing surface or structure as a means to personalize the assembly and make specific designs therefrom that incorporate the pocket flap or flap into the overall design, offering a personalized, unique and desirable pocket design to suit a specific user taste. For instance, a younger user may like a specific character, sport, car or plane, wherein the backing surface is utilized conjunction with the pocket to create a unique design that resembles one of these items, wherein the backing surface further provides improved bond area along the target garment receiving the pocket structure along a free surface. 
         [0034]    Individuals often purchase pants or other articles of clothing that do offer personalized pockets or adequate compartment for storage of articles. Many prefer multiple compartments or personalized attire, especially those that have to carry various items in their garments or those who wish to be fashionably stylish. Often times, garments are not readily available with adorned or emphasized pockets. Further still, garments may lack sufficient carrying capacity to suit a particular user. The present invention is therefore disclosed to serve two purposes: improve cargo capacity of a garment and to add stylish flare or personalization thereto using an attachable structure that resists peeling or bond failure, while incorporating unique design elements that allow ready personalization. 
         [0035]    It is therefore submitted that the instant invention has been shown and described in what is considered to be the most practical and preferred embodiments. It is recognized, however, that departures may be made within the scope of the invention and that obvious modifications will occur to a person skilled in the art. With respect to the above description then, it is to be realized that the optimum dimensional relationships for the parts of the invention, to include variations in size, materials, shape, form, function and manner of operation, assembly and use, are deemed readily apparent and obvious to one skilled in the art, and all equivalent relationships to those illustrated in the drawings and described in the specification are intended to be encompassed by the present invention. 
         [0036]    Therefore, the foregoing is considered as illustrative only of the principles of the invention. Further, since numerous modifications and changes will readily occur to those skilled in the art, it is not desired to limit the invention to the exact construction and operation shown and described, and accordingly, all suitable modifications and equivalents may be resorted to, falling within the scope of the invention.