Patent Publication Number: US-2017354216-A1

Title: Flexible luggage with garment bag and integral core

Description:
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTIVE CONCEPT 
     1. Field of the Invention 
     The present general inventive concept relates to a piece of luggage adapted to transport garments in a secure and flexible manner. 
     2. Description of the Related Art 
     Heretofore all luggage of the variety commonly called “garment bags” have been of one basic design. In these traditional garment bags, clothing on a hanger is attached at one end of a long rectangular bag. The bag may be folded to reduce its size so it may be more easily carried. Shoes and other bulky objects are loaded into one end of the bag so that when the bag is folded and carried all the bulky objects are at the bottom of the bag, causing the bag to be substantially wider at the bottom than at the top. This also results in uneven weight distribution by putting much of the weight at the bottom of the garment bag. 
     The traditional design of garment bags suffers from two serious flaws. First they require the clothing within to be folded which results in wrinkles and creases in the garments. Second the shape of these garment bags is such that they are very bulky and awkward to carry. Furthermore because of the awkward shape of the garment bag it is difficult to fit it into storage bins on airplanes. It is especially true that this awkward shape makes it more difficult to lift the bag over one&#39;s head which is required to fit it into the overhead compartment on an airplane. 
     Traditional garment bags are popular among business travelers since, up to now, they have been the only type of luggage available to carry suits and similar formal business garments. It is common to see a majority of passengers on a commercial airline flight carrying these types of garment bags. It is also common to see business travelers carry their luggage aboard the plane and stow it in either an overhead compartment or under the seat in front of them, the two spaces provided by the airlines for luggage carried aboard flights. This helps to save time by eliminating the need to wait for checked bags after the plane has landed. It is advantageous to the passengers if their luggage fits easily into one of these two designated places. It is becoming more common for airlines to require that oversized and bulky pieces of luggage be checked into the cargo hold to avoid flight delays brought on by passengers struggling to make a piece of luggage fit into too small a space. Traditional garment bags are often too bulky to fit into either of these two designated storage sites, and so are often required to be checked, relegating it to bruising transport within an airplane&#39;s luggage hold. A further disadvantage of this design is that the bag must be folded in half to reduce it to a manageable size. This results in the clothing becoming wrinkled and not wearable in a business setting without subsequent ironing or pressing. 
     A newer variation of the traditional garment bag design tries to reduce the overall size of the luggage by folding twice so that the bag is divided into three sections. While this may reduce the external size of the bag, it requires the garments to be folded in two places instead of only one, thereby increasing the problem of wrinkling. 
     Other garment bags use solid compartments to hold some or all of the clothing items being transported. For example, some luggage includes solid shells to transport shoes and other items. However, this type of luggage presents its own difficulties in traveling. Since it is not flexible, it becomes difficult to push luggage with solid shells into tight spaces, for example an overhead compartment that is full of other luggage. Fitting items that are awkward shapes, for example high heeled shoes, can be difficult if the solid shell is not the right shape to hold these items. Furthermore, luggage with solid shells cannot compress down to a smaller volume if it is under-packed, which can leave a traveler carrying bulky luggage even if they have not packed much. For similar reasons, it is difficult to store this type of luggage, since even when completely empty it still takes up the same amount of space. 
     It is an object of the present invention to provide a novel garment carrying system which will minimize wrinkles, allow for easy and quick packing and unpacking, be useable with various types of luggage, fit in a more compact space than traditional garment bags, and be easier to use and store than luggage with rigid compartments. 
     SUMMARY OF THE INVENTIVE CONCEPT 
     The present general inventive concept provides a flexible garment bag which can hold clothing without wrinkling while maintaining a convenient shape that is easy to transport. 
     Additional features and utilities of the present general inventive concept will be set forth in part in the description which follows and, in part, will be obvious from the description, or may be learned by practice of the general inventive concept. 
     The foregoing and/or other features and utilities of the present general inventive concept may be achieved by providing a piece of luggage including a garment bag, and a flexible core integrated into a first end of the garment bag, the flexible core comprising one or more interior spaces to hold items. The garment bag may be configured to be wrapped around the flexible core. 
     In an exemplary embodiment, the flexible core may include a plurality of interior spaces separated with a divider. 
     In an exemplary embodiment, the divider may be retractable to combine two or more of the plurality of interior spaces. 
     In an exemplary embodiment, the flexible core may have a rounded shape corresponding to the shape of the garment bag when the garment bag is wrapped around the flexible core. 
     In an exemplary embodiment, the garment bag may include two separable halves sharing at least one common edge, the two halves being separated and combined by a fastener. 
     In an exemplary embodiment, a first half of the garment bag may include one or more pockets disposed on an outer surface thereof. 
     In an exemplary embodiment, one half of the garment bag may include a loop to support one or more hangers inside of the garment bag. 
     In an exemplary embodiment, one half of the garment bag may include an aperture to admit one or more hooks corresponding to one or more hangers therethrough. 
     In an exemplary embodiment, the flexible core may include one or more panels corresponding to the one or more interior spaces, each panel being openable to access the corresponding interior space. 
     In an exemplary embodiment, the one or more panels are formed in an outer surface of the flexible core, such that each panel has a shape matching a shape of the flexible core. 
     In an exemplary embodiment, the one or more panels are openable to access the corresponding interior spaces while the garment bag is wrapped around the flexible core. 
     In an exemplary embodiment, the luggage may further include a fastener system to hold the garment bag wrapped around the flexible core. 
     In an exemplary embodiment, the fastener system may be configured to tighten the garment bag around the flexible core. 
     In an exemplary embodiment, the garment bag may include a waterproof lining. 
     The foregoing and/or other features and utilities of the present general inventive concept may be achieved by providing a method of packing a piece of luggage with a flexible core integrated into one end of a garment bag, the method including packing the flexible core, packing the garment bag, and rolling the flexible core such that the garment bag is wrapped around the flexible core. 
     In an exemplary embodiment, the method may further include packing an external pocket on the garment bag prior to rolling the flexible core. 
     In an exemplary embodiment, the method may further include packing an external pocket on the garment bag after rolling the flexible core. 
     In an exemplary embodiment, the method may further include fastening the garment bag in place in the rolled configuration, and tightening the garment bag around the flexible core. 
    
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
       These and/or other features and utilities of the present general inventive concept will become apparent and more readily appreciated from the following description of the embodiments, taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings of which: 
         FIG. 1  is a view of a piece of luggage according to an exemplary embodiment of the present general inventive concept; 
         FIGS. 2A-2F  are views of a flexible core of a piece of luggage according to exemplary embodiments of the present general inventive concept; 
         FIG. 3  is a view of a piece of luggage with a garment bag opened according to exemplary embodiments of the present general inventive concept; 
         FIGS. 4-6  are views of a piece of luggage being rolled up around a flexible core according to exemplary embodiments of the present general inventive concept; and 
         FIGS. 7-8  are views of a piece of luggage rolled up and fastened shut according to exemplary embodiments of the present general inventive concept; 
         FIG. 9  is an enlarged view of one end of a piece of luggage rolled up according to an exemplary embodiment of the present general inventive concept; 
         FIG. 10  is a flowchart of a process of packing and rolling up a piece of luggage according to an exemplary embodiment of the present general inventive concept; and 
         FIGS. 11 and 12  are rear views of pieces of luggage according to exemplary embodiments of the present general inventive concept. 
     
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS 
     Reference will now be made in detail to the embodiments of the present general inventive concept, examples of which are illustrated in the accompanying drawings, wherein like reference numerals refer to the like elements throughout. The embodiments are described below in order to explain the present general inventive concept while referring to the figures. Also, while describing the present general inventive concept, detailed descriptions about related well-known functions or configurations that may diminish the clarity of the points of the present general inventive concept are omitted. 
     It will be understood that although the terms “first” and “second” are used herein to describe various elements, these elements should not be limited by these terms. These terms are only used to distinguish one element from another element. Thus, a first element could be termed a second element, and similarly, a second element may be termed a first element without departing from the teachings of this disclosure. 
     Expressions such as “at least one of,” when preceding a list of elements, modify the entire list of elements and do not modify the individual elements of the list. 
     All terms including descriptive or technical terms which are used herein should be construed as having meanings that are obvious to one of ordinary skill in the art. However, the terms may have different meanings according to an intention of one of ordinary skill in the art, case precedents, or the appearance of new technologies. Also, some terms may be arbitrarily selected by the applicant, and in this case, the meaning of the selected terms will be described in detail in the detailed description of the preferred embodiments. Thus, the terms used herein are defined based on the intended meaning of the terms together with the description throughout the specification. 
     Also, when a part “includes” or “comprises” an element, unless there is a particular description contrary thereto, the part can further include other elements, not excluding the other elements. 
     Hereinafter, one or more exemplary embodiments of the present general inventive concept will be described in detail with reference to accompanying drawings. 
     Referring to the drawings in detail,  FIG. 1  illustrates a piece of luggage  100  according to an exemplary embodiment of the present general inventive concept. The luggage  100  includes a flexible core  10  integrated into a garment bag  20 .  FIG. 8 , discussed in greater detail infra, illustrates an exemplary embodiment of the luggage  100  packed and ready for travel. As illustrated therein, the luggage  100  is rolled up, such that the garment bag  20  is wrapped around the core  10 . 
       FIGS. 2A-F  illustrate exemplary embodiments of flexible core  10 . The core  10  has an inside volume preferably between about 200 and about 400 cubic inches, and preferably has a width equal to or slightly less than that of the garment bag  20 . Since the core  10  is flexible, it may compact down to a flat shape when not in use, as illustrated in  FIG. 2A . As such, the core  10  may be integrated into one end of the garment bag  20 , such that core  10  and the garment bag  20  constitute one unit, without adding additional bulk. 
     In an exemplary embodiment of the present general inventive concept, the core  10  may have a shape with rounded edges corresponding to the shape of the garment bag  20  when the garment bag  20  is rolled around core  10 . A rounded shape of core  10  aids in rolling up the luggage  100 , in a manner to be described in greater detail infra. This shape is illustrated for example in  FIGS. 2C-2D . However, the flexible core  10  may be formed in any desired three-dimensional shape, depending on the particular exemplary embodiment of the present general inventive concept. For example, the flexible core  10  may be a triangular prism in shape. 
     The flexible core  10  may include one or more interior spaces  11 , accessible by panels  12  built into the outside surface of the flexible core  10 , such that the panels  12  match the shape of the flexible core  10 . These panels  12  may be, e.g., panels held shut with zippers, buttons, snaps, Velcro™, or other fasteners that are easily opened and closed. If there are a plurality of interior spaces  11 , each space  11  may be accessible from a separate panel  12 . Furthermore, one or more of the panels  12  may include a symbol or instruction  15  printed thereon, to inform a user that the core  10  allows for storage of one or more items K, e.g., shoes or a shaving/makeup kit. In the exemplary embodiments of the present general inventive concept discussed herein with reference to  FIGS. 1-12 , a single item K is described and illustrated for clarity. However, it will be understood that whenever an item K is illustrated or discussed herein, a plurality of items K may be used in the same manner. 
     In the exemplary embodiment of the present general inventive concept illustrated in  FIGS. 2A-2F , the core  10  includes two interior spaces  11   a  and  11   b  disposed opposite each other and accessed through corresponding curved panels  12   a and  12   b.  It will be understood that any number of interior spaces  11  and corresponding panels  12  may be used, depending on the specific embodiment of the present general inventive concept. 
     As illustrated in  FIG. 2C , a plurality of interior spaces  11  may be separated by a divider  13 . This divider  13  may also be flexible, allowing it to bend to accommodate items K with awkward shapes (e.g., high heeled shoes) held in the interior spaces  11 . In an exemplary embodiment of the present general inventive concept illustrated in  FIG. 2F , the divider  13  may also be removable or retractable, to allow two or more interior spaces  11  to be combined. For example, the divider  13  may be held in place with fasteners along one or more edges, which may be unfastened to allow the divider  13  to be rolled up or otherwise stored to combine interior spaces  11 , as illustrated in  FIG. 2F . 
     As illustrated in  FIG. 1 , the core  10  may be integrated into one end of a piece of luggage  100 , the luggage  100  including a garment bag  20  to hold one or more garments G, e.g., suits, dress shirts, neckties, dresses, blouses and the like. In the exemplary embodiments of the present general inventive concept discussed herein with reference to  FIGS. 1-12 , a single garment G is described and illustrated for clarity. However, it will be understood that whenever a garment G is illustrated or discussed herein, a plurality of garments G may be used in the same manner. 
     As illustrated in  FIG. 1 , the garment bag  20  may be constructed with elongated side edges bounded at their ends by relatively shorter first and second garment bag end edges,  22  and  23 , respectively. The garment bag  20  may be generally rectangular in shape, with square corners and straight edges. Alternatively, one of the shorter edges  22  and  23  (edge  22  in the exemplary embodiment illustrated in  FIG. 1 ) may have a curved shape, to accommodate the shape of garments G held therein. The garment bag  20  preferably has a length and width suitable to accommodate many different types of garments G, and preferably has a thickness suitable to accommodate a plurality of garments G. 
     The core  10  may be located at an end of luggage  100  near one of the garment bag edges  22  and  23 . In  FIG. 1 , the core  10  is illustrated as being positioned at the first edge  22 . The garment bag edge opposite the core  10  (second edge  23  in the exemplary embodiment illustrated in  FIG. 1 ) may include a first fastener system  26 , to be described in greater detail infra. 
     As illustrated for example in  FIG. 3 , garment bag  20  may comprise two halves  31  and  41 . The two halves  31  and  41  may be of similar size and shape, and may be releasably joined by a fastener  24 . By joining the two halves  31  and  41  together with fastener  24 , the halves  31  and  41  form a secure enclosure to hold garment(s) G therein. 
     The garment bag  20  may be opened by undoing the fastener  24  (e.g., unzipping a zipper) and separating the two halves  31  and  41  from each other. In an exemplary embodiment of the present general inventive concept illustrated in  FIGS. 3-4 , the fastener  24  may extend along a plurality of edges  24   a,    24   b,  and  24   c  of the garment bag  20 , while the two halves  31  and  41  share at least one common edge  25 . In this configuration, the two halves  31  and  41  may be separated from each other and the garment bag may be opened. 
     The garment bag  20  may be opened to allow a user to pack one or more garments G, for example one or more suits, into the garment bag  20 . See  FIG. 3 . After the garment(s) G are packed, the garment bag  20  is closed by folding the two halves  31  and  41  together and joining them together with fastener  24 . See for example  FIGS. 1 and 3 , illustrating the garment bag  20  in a closed and open position, respectively. Bag half  31  may be referred to herein as an “exterior” bag half, since it forms the outer surface of the luggage  100  when the luggage  100  is rolled up, as will be described in greater detail infra. Similarly, bag half  41  may be referred to herein as an “interior” bag half. As illustrated for example in  FIGS. 1 and 3 , the core  10  may be integrated into one end of the interior bag half  41 . 
       FIG. 3  illustrates garment bag  20  fully opened by separating halves  31  and  41 . As illustrated therein, halves  31  and  41  may have internal surface panels  32  and  42 , respectively. One or both of these internal surface panels  32  and  42  may have smooth, waterproof inner faces or linings  33  and  43 , respectively (surfaces  33  and  43  partially illustrated in  FIG. 3 ) to protectively enclose garment G, for example suits or dresses. When garment bag  20  is closed and the luggage  100  is subsequently rolled up, bag half  31  forms a relatively smooth continuous external surface  35  of the luggage  100 . (See for example  FIG. 8 ). Thus, the outwardly facing surface  35  of bag half  31  may be fabricated of a ruggedly durable material such as, for example, ballistic nylon. In the exemplary embodiment of the present general inventive concept illustrated in  FIG. 3 , the first fastener system  26  may be included on the exterior half  31 , where it is supported by the rugged material of the outwardly facing surface  35 . The exterior surface  35  may also form a mounting point for, e.g., a handle  38  and/or attachment points  50  for a strap  51 , allowing the luggage  100  to be easily carried. The handle  38  and attachment points  50  are described in greater detail infra with reference to  FIG. 8 . 
     The outwardly facing surface  35  may further include a second fastener system  36  disposed between the first and second ends  22  and  23  and configured to engage with the first fastener system  26  at one edge of the garment bag  20 , as will be described in greater detail infra. The outwardly facing surface  35  may also include one or more pockets  39 , such that when the luggage  100  is rolled up, a user may store items (e.g., magazines, boarding passes, etc.) in the pocket(s)  39 . 
     Interior bag half  41  may be fabricated of a material which is less rugged and more flexible as compared to the external surface  35  described above, since bag half  41  will remain safely in the inner surface of the luggage  100 . Surface panel  42  may be generally smooth so as not to frictionally engage, restrict, or snag garment G enclosed thereby. 
     The surface panel  42  (of bag half  41 ) may be fabricated of a lightweight, generally smooth woven material, and may include at least one pocket  44  (illustrated for example in  FIG. 1 ) to store items such as underwear, neckties, socks and the like. If multiple pockets  44  are included in surface  42 , different pockets  44  may be different sizes, for example to accommodate different size items, e.g. one pocket  44  being sized to hold socks and another pocket  44  being sized to hold tee-shirts. While pocket(s)  44  may be structured or fabricated in a variety of ways and with a range of materials, the use of a mesh fabric provides the advantage of easily viewing contents of pocket(s)  44 . Furthermore, the pocket(s)  44  may include closing devices  45 , for example zippers, to hold them shut and avoid items falling out unintentionally. In an exemplary embodiment the closing device  45  may be an elastic band, which holds the pocket(s)  44  shut and tightly hold items contained therein while also allowing a user to insert and remove items therefrom without needing to open a zipper. Still further, if there are multiple pockets  44  in the surface  42 , these pockets  44  may use different types of closing devices  45 . For example, a large pocket  44  made to hold, e.g., shirts, may use a zipper closing device  45 , while a smaller pocket  44  made to hold, e.g., socks or scarves, may use an elastic closing device  45 . 
     After opening the garment bag  20  as described above, garment G is placed into the garment bag  20 . In an exemplary embodiment of the present general inventive concept illustrated in  FIG. 3 , garment G may be placed in the inside face  32  of the exterior half  31  of the garment bag  20 . 
     Once the garment G is placed in the garment bag  20 , the garment bag  20  may be closed up by closing the opposing halves  31  and  41 . In an exemplary embodiment of the present general inventive concept illustrated in  FIG. 3 , garment G is placed in the inside face  32  of the exterior half  31  of the garment bag  20 , and then the interior half  41  is folded over said garment G. Once the two halves  31  and  41  are closed up, they are joined together with fastener  24 . In an exemplary embodiment, fastener  24  is a zipper which is drawn across edges  24   a,    24   b,  and  24   c  to join the halves  31  and  41  together. Once the two halves  31  and  41  are joined together, the garment bag  20  is in the “closed” position. 
     Once the garment bag  20  and core  10  are each respectively packed with items and closed up, the user then rolls or turns the core  10  relative to the longer dimension of garment bag  20 , so that the garment bag  20  is wrapped around the core  10 . The direction of wrapping will depend on the specific design or configuration of the luggage  100 , but the objective is to have the more rugged surface  35  on the outside of the luggage  100  once the rolling is completed. The rolling is illustrated for example in FIGS.  4 - 8 .  FIGS. 4 and 5  illustrate the beginning of rolling with ¾ and side views, respectively.  FIG. 6  illustrates midway through the rolling process.  FIGS. 7-8  illustrate the fully rolled luggage  100 . 
     When the rolling of luggage  100  is completed, so that garment bag  20  is wrapped around core  10 , surface panel  32  may be in direct contact with the exterior surfaces of core  10 . Rugged surface  35  of garment bag  20  then faces outwardly (with respect to the core-garment bag combination) and provides a durable and protective surface for the clothes contained inside the luggage  100 . 
     As garment bag  20  continues to wrap around core  10 , second edge  23  of the garment bag  20  overlaps the first edge  22  thereof. Second edge  23  then continues around core  10  to a point where the first fastener system  26 , located for example at edge  23  (illustrated in  FIGS. 1, 3, and 4  as clip components  26   a,    26   b,  and  26   c ), engages with the second fastener system  36  (illustrated in  FIGS. 7 and 11  as clip components  36   a,    36   b,  and  36   c ). For this reason, second edge  23 , on which first fastener system  26  is disposed, is preferably a straight line in shape as opposed to curved, to allow easy engagement with second fastener system  36  and distribution of force evenly across the fastener systems  26  and  36 . 
     Once first and second fastener systems  26  and  36  (e.g., clips  26   a - c  and clips  36   a - c ) are interconnected, the luggage  100  may be tightened down. In an exemplary embodiment of the present general inventive concept illustrated in  FIG. 7 , webbing straps  37   a,    37   b,  and  37   c  associated with clip components  36   a,    36   b,  and  36   c , respectively, are tightened so as to pull garment bag  20  tightly against core  10  and ensure a smooth outer of the entire luggage  100 . By tightening webbing straps  37   a - c,  the luggage  100  may be tightened around the garment G and other items stored in the garment bag  20  and core  10 , as well as pockets  39  and  44 . This tightening helps to hold the garment G and items in place when the luggage  100  is carried, which keeps the garment G and items from shifting or bunching up inside of the luggage  100 , thereby keeping the garment G from wrinkling. Still further, tightening the webbing straps  37   a - c  minimizes the overall size of the luggage  100 , which makes the luggage  100  less bulky and therefore easier to transport. As part of this minimizing, the core  10  may be compressed to its minimum size by the tightening of the webbing straps  37   a - c.  For example, if a user has no items K packed into interior space(s)  11 , the core  10  may collapse as the user tightens the webbing straps  37   a - c,  thereby allowing the user to minimize the size of the luggage  100 . 
     Although first and second fastener systems  26  and  36  are illustrated in the drawings as clips, the present general inventive concept is not limited to clips. The fastener systems  26  and  36  may include, e.g., buttons, zippers, and any other device which would allow the luggage  100  to be fastened in a rolled position. Preferably, the fastener systems  26  and  36  also allow the luggage  100  to be tightened, as noted above. 
       FIG. 8  illustrates the luggage  100  rolled up and tightened as described above. In an exemplary embodiment of the present general inventive concept, the packed and rolled up luggage  100  has an overall size within the acceptable dimensions of carry-on luggage for major airlines. As illustrated therein, the outer surface  35  of garment bag  20  forms the outer surface of the luggage  100 . The outer surface  35  may include a carrying handle  38 , and one or more pockets  39 . The outer surface  35  may also include one or more hooks or attachment points  50  to support a strap  51 , which allows the luggage  100  to be carried over a user&#39;s shoulder. The strap  51  is preferably removable, allowing it to be detached from the attachment points  50  when not in use, to avoid the strap  51  from becoming tangled or caught on external objects when not in use. The attachment points  50  may be, e.g., metal or plastic D-rings to allow the strap  51  to attach and detach therefrom, for example with clips at either end of the strap  51 . 
     While traveling, the user may find it desirable or necessary to access items in the luggage  100  without having to unroll the garment bag  20 . According to exemplary embodiments of the present general inventive concept, this desire is easily accommodated.  FIGS. 8-9  illustrate the luggage  100  structure rolled up. As illustrated therein, panel  12  of core  10  may be accessed while the luggage  100  is rolled up, for example from the side. This allows a user to access one of the interior spaces  11  via panel  12 , without unfastening the fastener systems  26  and  36  or unrolling the luggage  100 . In an exemplary embodiment of the present general inventive concept, the fastener systems  26  and  36  may be loosened (for example, by loosening webbing straps  37   a - c ) to allow easier access to the interior space(s)  11  without unrolling the luggage  100 . As illustrated in  FIG. 9 , if multiple panels  12  are accessible in this fashion (e.g., if two panels  12  are accessible from one end or opposing ends of the core  10 ), multiple interior spaces  11  may be accessed. Since the core  10  is flexible, it can be moved to allow a user to more easily access the contents of interior spaces  11 . In exemplary embodiments including multiple interior spaces  11  separated by a divider  13 , if the divider  13  is retractable or removable, multiple interior spaces  11  may be accessed from one panel  12  by retracting or removing the divider  13 . 
     Furthermore, as noted above the external surface  38  of the garment bag  20  may include one or more pockets  39  thereon. These one or more pockets  39  allow users to pack additional items once the luggage  100  is rolled up. Users can easily access items stored in pocket(s)  39  without unrolling luggage  100 . 
     A method of packing the luggage  100  is illustrated in  FIG. 10 . In operation, the luggage  100  may be placed on a substantially horizontal surface such as, for example, a bed, table or floor. The core  10  and garment bag  20 , as well as pocket(s)  44 , are suitably packed with clothing and other articles at operations S 1001 -S 1008 . As described above with reference to  FIGS. 1 and 3 , the garment bag  20  is opened at operation S 1001  by separating the two bag halves  31  and  41 . A user may then pack one or more garments G (e.g., suits, dresses, etc.) into the garment bag  20  at operation S 1002 . The two bag halves  31  and  41  are joined together at operation S 1003 , in the manner described above, so that garment G in the garment bag  20  are fully enclosed. Items may be packed into the pocket(s)  44  at operation S 1004 . 
     The core  10  may be packed with items K (e.g., shoes) in operations S 1005 -S 1008 . Since the core  10  is flexible, it may be moved to allow better access to the interior space(s)  11 . An exemplary embodiment of the present general inventive concept illustrated in  FIGS. 2A-2F  illustrates the packing of interior spaces  11   a - 11   b  of the core  10 . With reference thereto, in operation S 1005  of  FIG. 10 , a first interior space  11   a  may be accessed while the core  10  lays flat by opening a corresponding panel  12   a . The interior space  11   a  may be packed with one or more items K (e.g., shoes, socks, etc.) in operation S 1006 , and then the panel  12   a  may be closed in operation S 1007 . If there are additional interior spaces  11  to be packed (operation S 1008 ), operations S 1005 -S 1007  may be repeated. In an exemplary embodiment, since the core  10  is flexible, it may be moved to allow access to a second interior space  11   b  through a corresponding panel  12   b,  as illustrated in  FIG. 2E . Once this second interior space  11   b  is packed with one or more items K, the corresponding panel  12   b  may be closed. This process of moving the core  10  to allow access to interior spaces  11  through corresponding panels  12  may be repeated as necessary (operation S 1008 ), until all the interior spaces  11  are packed with items K. 
     With reference to  FIG. 10 , as illustrated therein the pocket(s)  44  may be packed after the garment bag  20  is packed, and core  10  may be packed after the garment bag  20  and the pocket(s)  44  are packed. However, the garment bag  20 , pocket(s)  44 , and core  10  may be packed in any order. In other words, operations S 1001 -S 1003 , S 1004 , and S 1005 -S 1008  may be taken in any order desired. For example, the core  10  may be packed according to operations S 1005 -S 1008  first, then pocket(s)  44  may be packed according to operation S 1004 , and then the garment bag  20  is packed according to operations S 1001 -S 1003 . In this latter circumstance, users may have to lift the weight of the core  10  and all items K held therein, as well as the contents of pocket(s)  44 , as part of separating and joining the bag halves  24  and  25 . In either case, the garment bag  20 , pocket(s)  44 , and core  10  should be packed and closed up prior to rolling up the luggage  100 . 
     Once the core  10  and the garment bag  20  are closed up, the luggage  100  is rolled up in operation S 1009 . The specifics of rolling this up are detailed above with reference to  FIGS. 4-8 . Once the luggage  100  is rolled up, the first and second fastener systems  26  and  36  are connected in operation S 1010 . The fastener systems  26  and  36  may be tightened in operation S 1011  as needed, for example by tightening webbing straps  37   a - c , to tighten the luggage  100  closed. As noted above, tightening the fastener systems  26  and  36  can exert a force on the garment G held in the luggage  100  and hold it firmly in place, keeping them from shifting or bunching up. 
     Once the luggage  100  is rolled up, at operation S 1012  a strap  51  may optionally be connected to it. As illustrated in  FIG. 8 , the strap  51  may be connected at attachment points  50 , positioned on the outer surface  35  of the luggage  100 . This exemplary embodiment of the present general inventive concept is illustrated in  FIG. 8 . Attaching a strap  51  in this manner allows a user to carry the luggage  100 , for example over their shoulder, in addition to carrying the luggage  100  by a handle  38  (also illustrated in  FIG. 8 ). 
     The above describes exemplary embodiments of packing and rolling of the luggage  100 , which prepares the luggage  100  for travel, storage on an airplane, etc. Once a user arrives at their destination (e.g., a hotel room), they may wish to store the luggage  100 . More specifically, the user may wish to store the luggage  100  without completely unpacking it, in order to keep their belongings close at hand and minimize the risk of leaving items behind in, e.g., a hotel room. In order to unpack the luggage  100 , the first fastener system  26  is disengaged from second fastener system  36 , and the luggage  100  is unrolled, preferably on a horizontal surface so that the luggage  100  can lay flat when completely unrolled, to avoid wrinkling the garments G held therein. Once the luggage  100  is unrolled, the garments G can be removed by opening the garment bag  20 . 
     Users may find it desirable to be able to store the unrolled luggage  100  so that it is out of the way while keeping items stored therein easily accessible. Exemplary embodiments of the present general inventive concept illustrated in  FIGS. 11 and 12  make it possible to store the luggage  100 , for example by hanging it in a closet. 
       FIG. 11  illustrates a back view of the luggage  100  unrolled according to an exemplary embodiment of the present general inventive concept. As illustrated therein, the luggage  100  may be unrolled and positioned such that the first garment bag edge  22  is above the second garment bag edge  23  with respect to gravity. The outer surface  35  (corresponding to the back surface of the luggage  100 ) may include the handle  38 , attachment points  52 , and second fastener system  36 . The back surface  35  may also include one or more hanging points  52 . Hanging point(s)  52  may include, for example, straps, clips, hooks, and the like, to allow the unrolled luggage  100  to be hung from a closet rack. 
     By hanging the luggage  100  from hanging point(s)  52 , the luggage  100  can hang in, e.g., a closet, taking it off of the floor and allowing for better organization of the user&#39;s clothes. The user may, for example, remove garment G from the garment bag  20 , hang it separately in a closet, and then hang the luggage  100  in the closet by hanging point(s)  52 , thereby allowing easy access to item(s) K held in the core  10 , as well as the contents of pockets  39  and  44 . 
     In exemplary embodiments of the present general inventive concept, one or more hangers  55  may be used with the luggage  100  to support garment G held in the garment bag  20 . The hangers  55  are preferably strong enough to support garment G and hang from a closet rack that supports standard hangers. These hangers  55  are also preferably made of a flexible material, such that they can match the shape of the garment bag  20  when the luggage  100  is rolled up. Alternatively, the hangers  55  may be collapsible, such that they can be stored separately (e.g., in one of pockets  39  and  44 ) and assembled when the luggage  100  is unrolled. Exemplary embodiments of the present general inventive concept allowing for the use of hangers  55  are described below with reference to  FIGS. 3 and 12 . 
     In the exemplary embodiment of the present general inventive concept illustrated in  FIG. 12 , the garment bag  20  may include a hole or other aperture  46  to permit a hook  55   a  of a hanger  55  to extend therethrough. In  FIG. 12 , a hanger  55  is illustrated in dashed lines to indicate that the hanger  55  is held substantially inside of the garment bag  20 . As illustrated in  FIG. 12 , the aperture is preferably in the outer surface  35  near one edge of the garment bag  20  (first edge  22  as illustrated in  FIG. 12 ). By making aperture  46  in outer surface  35 , the relatively stronger material of the outer surface  35  may support the weight of the luggage  100  and items held therein by the hanger  55 . If the aperture  46  is located at the first end  22  of the garment bag  20 , the aperture  46  will be covered by the rest of the garment bag  20  when the luggage  100  is rolled up, thereby keeping any items from falling out of the aperture  46  while the luggage  100  is in transit, e.g., stored in an overhead compartment. 
     In the exemplary embodiment of the present general inventive concept illustrated in  FIG. 12 , garment G may be hung on one or more hangers  55  inside of garment bag  20 , and the hooks  55   a  of these hangers  55  may be pushed through the aperture  46  prior to closing the garment bag  20 . Alternatively, the hangers  55  may be separately put on the garment G after the luggage  100  is unrolled, for example if the hangers  55  are stored separately from the garment G, and then the hooks  55   a  of these hangers  55  may be pushed through the aperture  46 . In either case, once unrolled the luggage  100  may be hung from the hanger(s)  55  extending through the aperture  46 , such that the hanger(s)  55  support both the garment G and the luggage  100  from an object, for example a closet rack. This exemplary embodiment allows the user to store their luggage and clothes in one place. According to this exemplary embodiment of the present general inventive concept, the hanger(s)  55  are preferably strong enough to support both the garment G and the rest of the luggage  100  from a closet rack that supports standard hangers. 
     In another exemplary embodiment of the present general inventive concept illustrated in  FIG. 3 , the garment bag  20  may include a hanger loop  47  on an inner face of one of the halves  31  and  41 . The hanger loop  47  may be, for example, a strap, ring, molded plastic, etc., and is preferably flexible so that it can match the shape of the luggage  100  when the garment bag  20  is rolled around the core  10 . In the exemplary embodiment illustrated in  FIG. 3 , the hanger loop  47  is mounted on the inner surface  32  of outer half  31 . One or more hangers  55  (illustrated in  FIG. 3  in dashed lines) may be hung from this hanger loop  47 , to support garment G inside of the garment bag  20 . In this exemplary embodiment, the luggage  100  may be hung from hanging point(s)  55  inside of a closet, as noted above, with the added advantage that a user does not need to remove garment G from the garment bag  20 . According to this exemplary embodiment of the present general inventive concept, the hanger(s)  55  need to only be strong enough to support the garment G. Since the hanger(s)  55  do not need to be strong enough to support the luggage  100  in addition to the garment G, they may be made of a more flexible material, allowing them to more easily conform to the shape of the luggage  100  when it is rolled up. As such, in this exemplary embodiment of the present general inventive concept, a user may put garment G into the garment bag  20  already on hanger  55 , hang the hanger  55  from hanger loop  47 , and roll up the luggage  100  as described above with reference to  FIG. 10 . 
     In exemplary embodiments of the present general inventive concept in which garment G may be packed into garment bag  20  with a hanger  55 , the luggage  100  may be packed vertically. That is, the luggage  100  may be hung on an object (e.g., a closet rack), either by hanging points  52  or a hanger  55  through an aperture  46 , and garment G may be packed into garment bag  20  and pocket(s)  44  may be packed prior to rolling up the luggage  100 . The process of packing the luggage  100  is substantially the same as described above with reference to  FIG. 10 , and so is not duplicated here. Users may find it advantageous to pack the luggage  100  vertically if, for example, they do not have a convenient horizontal surface to lay the luggage  100  out on. 
     Although a few embodiments of the present general inventive concept have been shown and described, it will be appreciated by those skilled in the art that changes may be made in these embodiments without departing from the principles and spirit of the general inventive concept, the scope of which is defined in the appended claims and their equivalents.