Patent Publication Number: US-2009229037-A1

Title: Pocket plus

Description:
TECHNICAL FIELD 
     The present invention generally relates to pockets. More specifically, the present invention relates to pockets with expandable openings. 
     BACKGROUND 
     It is known that clothes and other items are usually provided with pockets having various shapes, which are meant to contain small objects, coins, documents and the like or are used as a mere trimming. 
     Pockets, particularly in clothes, are generally constituted by a pouch sewn inside an appropriate opening of the item of clothing. However, external pockets applied as patches, pockets cut in the lining, and others are also in widespread use. 
     Depending on its shape, the pocket may have a greater or smaller opening. However, it is evident that the opening of a pocket is currently predefined, independently of its utilization requirements. In other words, the opening of conventional pockets cannot be adapted so as to facilitate actual use. For example, a user may experience difficulty in getting a key from a pocket if the user wears a winter glove. Similarly, a worker may have difficulty reaching for a tool in a pocket wearing a protective glove. Furthermore, fixed openings of pockets may not be comfortable for users, such as when a cell phone is placed therein. 
     BRIEF DESCRIPTION 
     The present invention is directed to a pocket that may be expanded at its opening. The enlarged opening may facilitate a user to more easily reach inside the pocket. In one of many embodiments, for example, a pocket in accord with the present disclosure may comprise an elastic band. The elastic band may be sewn between a side seam of the pocket and then a back patch of the pocket. In another exemplary embodiment, a pocket in accordance with certain embodiments of the present invention may be a pocket of a pair of jeans. The pocket may comprise a triangular elastic band. The triangular elastic band may be sewn into a side seam of the jeans and then to an outseam of the pocket. The triangular elastic band may be sewn in a non-stretched state and when stretched, may allow for movement of the pocket opening. With the elastic band sewn into the side seam, there may be more space for a user to put a hand into the pocket. Thus, the user may experience more comfort of entry into the pocket of the jeans. 
     The invention may be embodied in numerous other systems and through numerous other methods. The following detailed description, which, when taken in conjunction with the annexed drawings, discloses examples of the invention. Other embodiments, which incorporate some or all of the features, are also possible. 
    
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
       Referring to the drawings, which form a part of this disclosure: 
         FIG. 1  shows a pocket with expandable opening in accordance with certain embodiments of the present invention; and 
         FIG. 2  shows a pocket of a pair of jeans with expandable opening in accordance with certain embodiments of the present invention. 
     
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION 
       FIG. 1  shows a pocket structure  100  that may be employed in accordance with certain embodiments of the present invention. The pocket structure  100  may comprise an external covering element  102 . The external covering element  102  may be sewn to a garment  104 . The external covering element  102  may comprise a top side  106 . The top side  106  may form an opening for the pocket structure  1   00 . The pocket structure  100  may further comprise an elastic band  108 . The elastic band  108  may be at a corner of the top side  106 , thus at a corner of the opening of the pocket structure  100 . The elastic band  108  may be of a triangular shape. A first side  110   a  of the elastic band  108  may be sewn to the external covering element  102 . A second side  110   b  of the elastic band  108  may be sewn to the garment  104 . A third side  110   c  of the elastic band  108  may be part of the opening for the pocket structure  100 . The triangular elastic band  108  may be in a non-stretched state when sewn into the garment. However, when stretched, the triangular elastic band  108  may allow for expandable movement of the pocket opening. For example, the pocket structure  100  may provide more of an opening for a user to put a hand into the pocket. Therefore, the user may experience more comfort when using the pocket. 
       FIG. 2  shows a pocket structure  200  of a pair of jeans  204  with a expandable opening in accordance with other embodiments of the present invention. The pocket  200  may comprise an external covering element  202 . The external covering element  202 , which may be a part of the pair of jeans  204 . The external covering element  202  may comprise a top side  206 . The top side  206  may have a curved shape and form a curved opening for the pocket structure  200 . The top side  206  may comprise a sewing seam  216 . Further, the top side  206  may comprise two metallic buttons  212  and  214  at two ends of the sewing seam  216 . The two metallic buttons  212  and  214  buttons may provide decoration and may also strengthen the material for the opening. The pocket structure  200  may further comprise an elastic band  208 . The elastic band  208  may be at a corner of the top side  206 , thus at a corner of the opening of the pocket structure  200 . The elastic band  208  may be of a triangular shape. A first side  210   a  of the elastic band  208  may be sewn to the external covering element  202 . A second side  210   b  of the elastic band  208  may be sewn to the pair of jeans  204 . A third side  210   c  of the elastic band  208  may be part of the opening for the pocket structure  200 . A user of the pocket structure  200  may enjoy comfort of entry provided by the elasticity to the opening. The triangular elastic band  208  may be in a non-stretched state when sewn into the garment. A user of the pocket structure  200  may stretch the triangular elastic band  208  to reach into the pocket. In one particular embodiment, the elasticity may provide one fourth to one half inch in the pocket opening. 
     It should be noted that in the exemplary embodiment shown in  FIG. 2 , the second side  210   b  of the elastic band  208  may be sewn into a side seam  220  of the pair of jeans  204 . In another exemplary embodiment, the second side  210   b  of the elastic band  208  may be sewn to a different place of the pair of jeans. Still other configurations may be used. 
     The examples described herein are merely illustrative, as numerous other embodiments may be implemented without departing from the spirit and scope of the exemplary embodiments of the present invention. Moreover, while certain features of the invention may be shown on only certain embodiments or configurations, these features may be exchanged, added, and removed from and between the various embodiments or configurations while remaining within the scope of the invention.