Patent Publication Number: US-2011067169-A1

Title: Attachable and detachable pocket cover

Description:
TECHNICAL FIELD 
     The present disclosure relates generally to covers for pockets, and more particularly, to an attachable and detachable pocket cover. 
     BACKGROUND 
     Articles of clothing, such as, for example, pants, jeans, shorts, shirts, etc., commonly include one or more pockets. While the pockets may have some inherent decorative features due to stitching, shape, and the like, the pockets may not have a means for accessorizing the pocket by detachably connecting an element to the outside of the pocket. Further, the pockets may not be capable of modification and personalization. Thus, the pockets may not offer a way to selectively and interchangeably display advertising, personal ornamentation, accessories, or communication, and may not function as a decorative carrier. The disclosed embodiments are directed to overcoming one or more of the problems set forth above. 
     SUMMARY 
     In one aspect, the present disclosure is directed to an attachable and detachable cover for a pocket having an inner area. The cover may include a first portion disposed external to the pocket, generally conforming to a contour of the pocket, and removably secured to the pocket. The first portion may include a decorative element. In addition, the cover may include a second portion disposed within the inner area of the pocket. The second portion may cause the cover to be retained by the pocket. Further, the cover may include a third portion connecting the first portion and the second portion. 
     In another aspect, the present disclosure is directed to an attachable and detachable cover for a pocket having an inner area. The cover may include a first portion disposed external to the pocket, generally conforming to a contour of the pocket, and removably secured to the pocket. The first portion may be reversible and may include one or more first layers of material. In addition, the cover may include a second portion disposed within the inner area. The second portion may include one or more layers of flexible material, and at least one layer of the one or more second layers may cause the first portion to retain a position proximally disposed to an external surface of the pocket. 
     In another aspect, the present disclosure is directed to an attachable and detachable cover for a pocket having an inner area. The cover may include a first portion disposed external to the pocket, generally conforming to a contour of the pocket, and removably secured to the pocket. The first portion may include an advertisement. In addition, the cover may include a second portion disposed within the inner area of the pocket. The second portion may cause the cover to be retained by the pocket. In addition, the cover may include a third portion connecting the first portion and the second portion. Further, the third portion may bridge a top of the pocket. 
    
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
         FIG. 1   a  is a front view of a pocket having an attachable and detachable cover, consistent with certain disclosed embodiments; 
         FIG. 1   b  is a perspective view of a pocket having an attachable and detachable cover, consistent with certain disclosed embodiments; 
         FIG. 2   a  is a front view of a pocket having an attachable and detachable cover, consistent with certain disclosed embodiments; 
         FIG. 2   b  is a perspective view of a pocket having an attachable and detachable cover, consistent with certain disclosed embodiments; 
         FIG. 3   a  is a front view of a pocket having an attachable and detachable cover, consistent with certain disclosed embodiments; 
         FIG. 3   b  is a perspective view of a pocket having an attachable and detachable cover, consistent with certain disclosed embodiments; 
         FIG. 4   a  is a front view of a pocket having an attachable and detachable cover, consistent with certain disclosed embodiments; 
         FIG. 4   b  is a perspective view of a pocket having an attachable and detachable cover, consistent with certain disclosed embodiments; 
         FIG. 5   a  is a front view of a pocket having an attachable and detachable cover, consistent with certain disclosed embodiments; 
         FIG. 5   b  is a perspective view of a pocket having an attachable and detachable cover, consistent with certain disclosed embodiments; 
         FIG. 5   c  is a perspective view of a pocket having an attachable and detachable cover, consistent with certain disclosed embodiments; 
         FIG. 6   a  is a front view of a pocket having an attachable and detachable cover, consistent with certain disclosed embodiments; 
         FIG. 6   b  is a front view of a pocket having an attachable and detachable cover, consistent with certain disclosed embodiments; 
         FIG. 7  is a front view of a pocket having an attachable and detachable cover, consistent with certain disclosed embodiments; and 
         FIG. 8  is a front view of a pocket having an attachable and detachable cover, consistent with certain disclosed embodiments. 
     
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION 
       FIG. 1   a  illustrates a front view of a pocket  110  having an attachable and detachable cover  140 , and  FIG. 1   b  illustrates a perspective view of pocket  110  and cover  140 . As shown in  FIGS. 1   a  and  1   b , pocket  110  may include seam  120  and pocket face  130 . Seam  120  may extend across the perimeter of pocket  110 . Seam  120  may be used to attach pocket  110  to a garment, such as a shirt, or an accessory, such as a purse. Seam  120  may be used to prevent fraying of the pocket fabric, and/or may be used for decorative purposes. Seam  120  may be visible, invisible, or any combination thereof. Pocket  110  may also have an external surface or pocket face  130 . In addition, as shown in  FIG. 1   b , pocket  110  may also include inner area  180 . 
     Pocket  110  may be any type of pocket. In one exemplary embodiment, pocket  110  may be found in any type of garment for the lower body, such as, for example, pants, trousers, jeans, slacks, shorts, skirt, skorts, culottes, and the like. In another embodiment, pocket  110  may be found in any type of garment for the upper body, such as, for example, shirts, blouses, jackets, coats, blazers, smocks, aprons, and the like. As another embodiment, pocket  110  may be found in any type of garment for the whole body, such as, for example, a dress, a leotard, a jogging suit, etc. In a further embodiment, pocket  110  may be found in any type of accessory, such as, for example, hats, backpacks, umbrellas, ties, luggage, purses, bags, briefcases, computer carriers, etc. Pocket  110  may also be found in other items, such as, for example, shoes, boots, party supplies, etc. Pocket  110  may be of any shape, size, or construction, as is known in the art. 
     Cover  140  may be used as a decorative element of pocket  110 , and may extend across a portion or the entire area of pocket face  130 . In one exemplary embodiment, one or more layers of materials may be used to create decorative features of cover  140 . The one or more layers of material may be used to variously provide ornamentation, structure, shape, flexibility, sturdiness, connection, etc. The one or more layers of material may be used selectively and intermittently such that not every layer of material may extend across the entire area of cover  140 . In one exemplary embodiment, all of the one or more layers of material may extend across a portion less than the entire area of cover  140 . 
     The one or more layers of material may include, for example, backing materials, facing materials, finishing materials, embellishment materials, connection mechanisms, etc. Backing materials, facing materials, finishing materials, and embellishment materials may include, for example, natural and/or synthetic fabrics (e.g., leather, felt, faux fur, real fur, cotton, wool, jacquard, nylon, silk, quilted, toile, tulle, netted, gauze, stretchable, spandex, velvet, mesh, etc.), flowers (e.g., silk flowers, plastic flowers, papers flowers, fabric flowers, dried flowers, etc.), sound devices (e.g., piezoelectric devices, music, noisemakers, etc.), scents (e.g., perfumes, scratch-n-sniff, infused scents, etc.), wires and string (e.g., wires, rope, twine, string, etc.), including magnetized and/or non-magnetized metallic wires and string (e.g., gold, silver, aluminum, nickel, etc.), beads (e.g., glass, plastic, pearls, semi-precious stones, precious stones, bone, wood, metal, etc.), crystals, rhinestones, sequins, embroidery, paints (e.g., fabric paint, puff paint, glitter paint, etc.), inks (e.g., permanent, semi-permanent, temporary, etc.), chalkboard/chalk materials, buttons, screen print, mechanical/electrical (e.g., batteries and battery operated devices, LEDs, light tape, light wire, devices with moving parts, etc.), notions, ribbons and rick-rack, papers (e.g., raffia, twistie-paper, tissue, etc.), rubber, man-made and/or plastic materials (e.g., mylar, latex, glassine, neoprene, plexiglass, etc.), fluids (e.g., gels, liquids, gases, etc., including, for example, silicon, water, oil, air), pictures, frames/photo holders, yarns, stamps and stamped designs, wood, chain and variations thereof (e.g., any style of chain including, for example, metal, paper, wood, etc.), glitter, stick-on, plastic eyes, elastic, watches/clocks, charms, lace, shoelaces (including straight, curly, stretchy, etc.), lock &amp; key, key rings, binder rings, mirror, conditionally-activated accessories (i.e., movement activated, sound activated, etc.), adhesives, glues, stitch-witch, magnets, hook-and-loop tape (e.g., VELCRO™), etc. 
     Connection mechanisms may include one or more mechanisms and/or materials by which cover  140  may be retained in proximity to pocket  110 . For example, connection mechanisms may include clips, pins, zippers, buttons, hooks (e.g., I-hooks, lobster clasp, etc.), snaps, magnets, hook-and-loop tape (e.g., VELCRO™), adhesive materials (e.g., glue, tape, etc.), comb-like attachment, clips and clasps (e.g., alligator clips, snap clips, jaw clasps, “belt hooks”, D-rings, etc.), grommets and eyelets, etc. 
     In one exemplary embodiment, one or more connection mechanisms may be integrated into the design of cover  140 . For example, buttons and snaps may be visible and thus may be integrated into the decorative elements of cover  140 . In another exemplary embodiment, one or more connection mechanisms may be hidden by the decorative elements of cover  140 . For example, one or more magnets or magnetized materials may be covered by one or more other layers of materials, and thus may not be readily visible. It is also contemplated that some connection mechanism for cover  140  may be hidden while other connection mechanisms for that same cover  140  may be readily visible. For example, a receiving portion of a snap may be visible while the projecting portion of a snap may be hidden by one or more layers of material and/or decorative elements. 
     In addition, one or more properties associated with the material and/or added design features may also be used to retain cover  140  in proximity to pocket  110 . For example, surface resistance associated with one or more materials may be used to frictionally retain cover  140 . Cover  140  may be frictionally retained using any of the embodiments shown and/or discussed herein. For example, one or more magnets and/or magnetized materials may be used to frictionally cover  140 . In addition, one or more pieces of hook-and-loop tape may be used to frictionally retain cover  140 . Further, buttons, clasps, clips, etc. may also be used to frictionally retain cover  140 . In another embodiment, the weight of cover  140  may be used to gravitationally retain cover  140 . Design features may include, for example, a design feature that catches at the inside seam of pocket  110 , and the like. 
     As shown in  FIGS. 1   a  and  1   b , cover  140  may include three portions: an exterior portion  150 , a bridging portion  160 , and an interior portion  170 . Each of exterior portion  150 , bridging portion  160 , and interior portion  170  may include one or more layers of material such as those described above. 
     Exterior portion  150  may extend across a portion or the entire area of pocket face  130 , and may be proximally disposed to pocket face  130 . Exterior portion  150  may include one or more decorative elements, features, advertisements, and/or other communication, using, for example, backing materials, facing materials, finishing materials, embellishment materials, connection mechanisms, etc. In one exemplary embodiment, exterior portion  150  may generally conform to the projective contour of pocket  110 . For example, when a garment to which pocket  110  is attached is worn, pocket  110  may assume a shape according to the contours of the wearer. When this occurs, cover  140  may also follow the contours of the shape assumed by pocket  110 , thereby allowing cover  140  to maintain its proximity to pocket face  130 . In one exemplary embodiment, exterior portion  150  may be reversible. That is, both faces of exterior portion  150  may have decorative features, and may be interchangeably displayed by changing the externally facing direction of exterior portion  150 , i.e., by turning over exterior portion  150 . 
     As shown in  FIG. 1   b , interior portion  170  may be inserted into inner area  180  of pocket  110 . Interior portion  170  may be used to retain cover  140  in proximity with pocket face  130 . In one exemplary embodiment, interior portion  170  may be used to frictionally retain cover  140  in proximity with pocket face  130 . For example, interior portion  170  may extend into the inner area  180  of pocket  110 , and the surface resistance of the interior portion  170  against the surface resistance of inner area  180  may serve to retain cover  140  in proximity with pocket face  130 . 
     Additionally and/or alternatively, interior portion  170  may include one or more materials by which cover  140  may be retained. For example, interior portion  170  may include one or more magnets or metallic material that, when used in connection with one or more other magnets or metallic material associated with exterior portion  150 , may cause cover  140  to remain proximally disposed to pocket face  130 . In one exemplary embodiment, pocket  110  may be situated between exterior portion  150  and interior portion  170 . 
     In addition, interior portion  170  may generally conform to the shape contours of pocket  110 . For example, as a garment is worn and changes shape in relation to the garment wearer, interior portion  170  may generally conform to the shape of inner area  180  of pocket  110 . Thus, in some embodiments, the number and thickness of the layers of interior portion  170  may be determined based on its ability to comfortably remain in inner area  180 , without deforming the pocket shape or causing discomfort to the garment wearer. Consideration may also be given to the affect that a bulk of material in pocket  110  may have on the appearance of the garment wearer. For example, it may be undesirable for a garment wearer to have greater bulk in a rear lower-body pocket; whereas, it may be very desirable for a garment wearer to have greater bulk in a breast pocket and the like. 
     In one exemplary embodiment, interior portion  170  may be reversible and/or interchangeable with external portion  150 . That is, one or both faces of interior portion  170  may have decorative features, and may be interchangeably displayed by positioning interior portion  170  externally to pocket  110 , and inserting exterior portion  150  into inner area  180  of pocket  110 . In addition, an externally-positioned interior portion  170  may also be reversed by changing the externally facing direction of the externally-positioned interior portion  170 , i.e., by turning over interior portion  170 . 
     As shown in  FIGS. 1   a  and  1   b , bridging portion  160  may provide a connection between exterior portion  150  and interior portion  170 . In some embodiments, bridging portion  160  may extend a small distance into inner area  180  of pocket  110  as well as extending over a small area of pocket face  130 . Bridging portion  160  may be rigid, flexible, elastic, inelastic, or any combination thereof. 
     Bridging portion  160  may share one or more layers of materials with exterior portion  150  and/or interior portion  170 . For example, exterior portion  150 , bridging portion  160 , and interior portion  170  may share a common layer of fabric, a common layer of adhesive, and an additional common layer of fabric. 
     Alternatively, bridging portion  160  may include different materials than that of exterior portion  150  and/or interior portion  170 . For example, exterior portion  150  may include a first fabric layer, a first adhesive layer, a metallic layer, a second adhesive layer, and a second fabric layer; bridging portion  160  may include a single plastic layer; and interior portion  170  may include a first fabric layer, a first adhesive layer, a magnetic layer, a second adhesive layer, and a second fabric layer. Interior portion  170 , bridging portion  160 , and exterior portion  150  may be attached to one another using, for example, any one or more of backing materials, facing materials, finishing materials, embellishment materials, connection mechanisms, etc. 
     In some embodiments, exterior portion  150 , bridging portion  160 , and interior portion  170  may share at least one layer of material. For example, a sheath of fabric may extend the entire surface area of exterior portion  150 , bridging portion  160 , and interior portion  170 . As another example, a base layer or an inner layer may be provided that extends from exterior portion  150 , through bridging portion  160 , to interior portion  170 . For example, interior portion  170  may include a layer of fabric extending through bridging portion  160 , to exterior portion  150 . Layered onto the fabric layer, interior portion  170  may have an adhesive layer and a magnet layer. Layered onto the fabric layer, exterior portion  150  may have an adhesive layer, a chalkboard layer, and a layer of chalk (e.g., chalk writing on the chalkboard). 
     As another example, interior portion  170  may include a first layer of material extending through bridging portion  160 , to exterior portion  150 . Layered onto the first layer of material, interior portion  170  may have an adhesive layer and a magnet layer. Layered onto the fabric layer, exterior portion  150  may have an adhesive layer, a metallic layer, a fluid layer including one or more decorative elements (e.g., a liquid with one or more plastic fish dispersed throughout), and a second plastic layer. In one exemplary embodiment, the fluid layer may be colored, and may be semi-transparent. 
       FIG. 2   a  illustrates a front view of pocket  110  having an attachable and detachable cover  140 , and  FIG. 2   b  illustrates a perspective view of pocket  110  and cover  140 .  FIGS. 2   a  and  2   b  illustrate that the shape of cover  140  may be rounded or oval-shaped. In other embodiments, the shape of cover  140  may be any shape or combination of shapes such as, for example, rhomboid, rectangular, square, circle, oval, irregular, etc. In a manner similar to that discussed above in connection with  FIGS. 1   a  and  1   b , interior portion  170  of cover  140  may be inserted into inner area  180  of pocket  110 , and may have the same general shape as exterior portion  150  or a different shape. 
       FIG. 3   a  illustrates a front view of pocket  110  having an attachable and detachable cover  140 , and  FIG. 3   b  illustrates a perspective view of pocket  110  and cover  140 . As shown in  FIGS. 3   a  and  3   b , cover  140  may include exterior portion  150 , bridging portion  160 , and interior portion  170 . As discussed above in connection with  FIGS. 1   a  and  1   b , exterior portion  150 , bridging portion  160 , and interior portion  170  may each include one or more layers of material. In this embodiment, bridging portion  160  may be configured to provide a connection between exterior portion  150  and interior portion  170  by one or more bridging portions  160 . For example, bridging portions  160  may include one or more pieces of material, such as, for example, backing materials, facing materials, finishing materials, embellishment materials, connection mechanisms, etc. Bridging portions  160  may be of any shape or size. In addition, bridging portions  160  may be rigid, flexible, or any combination or variation thereof. 
     In a manner similar to that discussed above in connection with  FIGS. 1   a  and  1   b , interior portion  170  of cover  140  may be inserted into an inner area  180  of pocket  110 . Thus, as shown in  FIGS. 3   a  and  3   b , bridging portion  160  may be integrated into the decorative features of cover  140 . In addition, bridging portion  160  may be external to the one or more layers of interior portion  170  and/or exterior portion  150 , may be internal to the one or more layers of interior portion  170  and/or exterior portion  150 , or any combination thereof. 
       FIG. 4   a  illustrates a front view of pocket  110  having an attachable and detachable cover  140 , and  FIG. 4   b  illustrates a perspective view of pocket  110  and cover  140 . As shown in  FIGS. 4   a  and  4   b , cover  140  may include exterior portion  150  and interior portion  170 . As discussed above in connection with  FIGS. 1   a  and  1   b , exterior portion  150  and interior portion  170  may each include one or more layers of material. In a manner similar to that discussed above in connection with  FIGS. 1   a  and  1   b , interior portion  170  may be inserted into inner area  180  of pocket  110 . In this embodiment, interior portion  170  may be configured to retain exterior portion  150  in proximity with pocket face  130 . For example, one or more layers of interior portion  170  may include one or more magnets or metallic materials  172 , while one or more layers of exterior portion  150  may also include one or more corresponding magnets or metallic materials  152 . Magnets or metallic materials  152  and  172  may be configured in such a manner as to cause exterior portion  150  to be drawn closer to interior portion  170 . In one exemplary embodiment, magnets or metallic materials  152  and  172  may be external to a surface of exterior portion  150  and interior portion  170 , respectively. In another exemplary embodiment, magnets or metallic materials  152  and  172  may be internal to a surface of exterior portion  150  and interior portion  170 , respectively. That is, one or more other layers of material may extend over magnets or metallic materials  152  and  172 . In yet another exemplary embodiment, instead of magnets or metallic materials, other items, such as snaps, may be used. 
     In addition, as discussed above in connection with  FIGS. 1   a  and  1   b , both exterior portion  150  and interior portion  170  may be reversible. That is, exterior portion  150  may be turned over, exterior portion  150  may be inserted into an inner area  180  of pocket  110 , an externally-positioned interior portion  170  may be turned over, or any combination thereof. 
       FIG. 5   a  illustrates a front view of pocket  110  having an attachable and detachable cover  140 .  FIGS. 5   b  and  5   c  each illustrate a perspective view of pocket  110  having an attachable and detachable cover  140 . As shown in  FIGS. 5   a ,  5   b , and  5   c , cover  140  may include only exterior portion  150 . As discussed above in connection with  FIGS. 1   a  and  1   b , cover  140  may include one or more layers of material and may be any shape, size, or configuration. In addition, cover  140  may include one or more mechanisms for detachably retaining cover  140  in proximity to pocket face  130 . 
     In one exemplary embodiment, the one or more mechanisms may include one or more built-in features or elements. For example, as shown in  FIG. 5   a , exterior portion  150  of cover  140  may include one or more button holes through which one or more buttons  154  may be inserted and used to retain cover  140  in proximity with pocket face  130 . As another example, as shown in  FIG. 5   b , exterior portion  150  of cover  140  may include one or more receiving snap pieces  156  into which one or more corresponding protruding snap pieces  136  may be inserted. The one or more receiving snap pieces  156  and corresponding protruding snap pieces  136  may be used to retain cover  140  in proximity with pocket face  130 . As an additional example, as shown in  FIG. 5   c , exterior portion  150  of cover  140  may include one or more connection mechanisms  158  (e.g., hooks, clasps, etc.) that may be used in connection with one or more corresponding connection mechanisms  138  (e.g., grommet, eyelet, etc.) on pocket  110  to retain cover  140  in proximity with pocket face  130 . Thus, as shown in  FIGS. 5   a ,  5   b , and  5   c , the mechanism by which cover  140  remains in proximity with pocket face  130  may be integrated into the decorative features of cover  140 . In addition, connection between cover  140  and pocket  110  may be internal to exterior portion  150 , internal to exterior portion  150 , or any combination thereof. 
     In addition, one or more receiving mechanisms may be external to pocket face  130 . The one or more receiving mechanisms may be permanent (i.e., built-in) or detachably removable. For example, a layer of hook-and-loop tape may be attached to pocket face  130 , and a corresponding layer of hook-and-loop tape may be located on the reverse face (i.e., the face in proximity to pocket face  130 ) of exterior portion  150 . As another example, a layer of magnetized and/or metallic material may be attached to pocket face  130 , and a corresponding magnetized and/or metallic cover  140  may be located internally to the exterior portion  150  or on the reverse face (i.e., the face in proximity to pocket face  130 ) of exterior portion  150 . Attachment to pocket face  130  may be permanent or temporary. For example, a layer of hook-and-loop tape may be attached to the pocket permanently by an adhesive and/or stitching. Alternatively, the layer of hook-and-loop tape may be attached temporarily via any of the mechanisms discussed herein. That is, the layer of hook-and-loop tape may be a top-most layer of the exterior portion  150  of cover  140 . 
     In another embodiment, as shown in  FIG. 6   a , one or more receiving mechanisms may be attached to exterior portion  150  of cover  140 . For example, one or more receiving grommets may be attached to exterior portion  150  and one or more corresponding hooks may be used to attach attaching portion  155  to the exterior portion  150  of cover  140 . In another exemplary embodiment, as shown in  FIG. 6   b , one or more receiving magnets and/or magnetic materials may be attached to exterior portion  150  and one or more corresponding magnets and/or magnetic materials may be used to attach attaching portion  155  to the exterior portion  150  of cover  140 . Attaching portion  155  may include any one or more backing materials, facing materials, finishing materials, embellishment materials, connection mechanisms, etc. In addition, the one or more receiving and corresponding attachment elements (e.g., grommets, snaps, hooks, buttons, magnets, hook and loop tape, etc.) may include decorative features and or elements. For example, the corresponding hooks may include charms that may be attached to exterior portion  155  via one or more receiving grommets. 
     The disclosed embodiments may be implemented with any type of pocket. The disclosed embodiments may achieve improved ability to accessorize pockets, using attachable and detachable covers and decorative pocket features. In particular, the disclosed embodiments may allow a wearer to selectively and interchangeably display advertising or other communication on the pocket cover or allow the pocket cover to function as a decorative carrier. As shown in  FIG. 7 , the disclosed embodiments may, for example, allow a wearer to display personal ornamentation, accessorize a garment or ensemble, personalize a bag or purse, etc. For example, one or more layers of pocket cover  140  may include writing using paints, threads, cloth materials, etc., as discussed in greater detail above. Further, as shown in  FIG. 8 , the disclosed embodiments may function as a carrier for other items, such as, for example, audio and/or video devices, cosmetic and/or perfumery, or other personal articles. In  FIG. 8 , for example, pocket cover  140  may carry a cell phone, and may include one or more decorative elements, as described in greater details above. 
     In addition, the disclosed embodiments may be provided as a kit. For example, one or more of the materials disclosed herein may be provided along with instructions to enable the creation of decorative pocket covers as described. In addition to pockets, the disclosed embodiments may be useable with other garment components or features. For example, the disclosed embodiments may be utilized on sleeves, pants, breast and/or back sections of a garment, etc. As another example, the disclosed embodiments may be used at other points of a garment, such as, a waistband, a neckline, a sleeve cuff, etc. 
     It will be apparent to those skilled in the art that various modifications and variations can be made in the attachable and detachable pocket covers. It is intended that the specification and examples be considered as exemplary only, with a true scope of the disclosed embodiments being indicated by the following claims and their equivalents.