Patent Publication Number: US-2020275717-A1

Title: Graduation Gown with Storage Areas

Description:
STATEMENT REGARDING FEDERALLY SPONSORED RESEARCH OR DEVELOPMENT 
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     REFERENCE TO SEQUENTIAL LISTING, A TABLE, OR A COMPUTER PROGRAM LISTING APPENDIX SUBMITTED ON A COMPACT DISC 
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     CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS &amp; CONTINUITY DATA 
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     BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
     Graduation gowns are a traditional type of academic dress worn at graduation and other academic ceremonies. Accordingly they have remained very consistent in their design. Most notably, they do not have pockets or other storage area for carrying personal items that are of interest in individuals participating in a memorable moment. 
     Herein, the graduation gown with pockets would incorporate concealed pockets that could house a number of small personal items. Thus a wide array of valuables could convenient conveniently be housed such as cellphones wallets keys pocket tokens etc. Tis would eliminate the graduate having to transport as well as keep track of a purser other tote which may be cumbersome Similarly, the gown may also be used with a graduation cap with contains a concealed storage area. As graduation gowns are a traditional type of dress the alterations described herein with the current invention are not found in the prior art Thus, there remains a considerable need for graduation gowns and caps with storage space or pockets to accommodate the carrying of personal items. 
     FIELD OF THE INVENTION 
     The invention relates to clothing and dress, more specifically to graduation gowns or academic dress. 
     SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
     The invention herein relates to a graduation gown, which contains pockets or other means of holding personal items such as a camera or cell phone. Traditional academic or graduation gowns do not provide any means such as pockets for the storage of items, yet they are worn at important ceremonies where individuals naturally want to record or otherwise capture the moment. The inventions herein provide for a means of storing and carrying such personal items. The invention may provide for a specialized gown capable of storing items, and may further include a graduation cap with an area for storing similar items. Further disclosed are multiple embodiments for different types, sizes, and locations of pockets allowing for different types of access and functionality. Some embodiments may include hidden or visible pockets. Other embodiments include pocket designs that allow for access to personal items without removing them from the pockets. 
    
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS FIGURES 
         FIG. 1  shows one embodiment of the current invention and pocket locations. 
         FIG. 2  shows various exemplary locations where hidden or visible pockets may be located across the various embodiments. 
         FIG. 3  shows one element of the gown that may incorporate a zipper piece of a style and nature that matches the overall appearance of the gown. 
         FIG. 4  shows how the pocket openings or zippers, may be incorporated in the traditional seam lines. 
         FIG. 5  shows a non-exhaustive list of exemplary locations for pockets. 
         FIG. 6  shows an area in the inside upper portion of the graduation cap, denoted by the dotted line where the arrow points, that may be used as a hidden storage area. 
     
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT 
     The characteristics and utilities of the present invention described in this summary and the detailed description below are not all inclusive. Many additional features and advantages will be apparent to one of ordinary skill in the art given the following description. There has thus been outlined, rather broadly, the more important features of the invention in order that the detailed description thereof that follows may be better understood, and in order that the present contribution to the art may be better appreciated. 
     Disclosed is a graduation gown, which contains pockets or other means of holding personal items such as a camera or cell phone. Traditional academic or graduation gowns do not provide any means such as pockets for the storage of items, yet they are worn at important ceremonies where individuals naturally want to record or otherwise capture the moment. The inventions herein provide for a means of storing and carrying such personal items. The invention may provide for a specialized gown capable of storing items, and may further include a graduation cap with an area for storing similar items. 
     The gown herein, maybe of a design, nature and appearance consistent with the various types of traditionally worn graduation gowns. The addition of pockets or storage areas may be added to these traditional designs. The location, size, and nature of the pockets or storage areas may vary substantially across the numerous embodiments of the invention herein. The pockets may be visible or hidden and sewn into the material. The design and variations of the pockets described herein may be applied to any of the locations noted on the gown. 
     The gown would ensure that the individual would have access to a cellphone to record the special moments as well as post them on social media. Furthermore the design of his graduation robe would eliminate the frustration associated with the graduate losing various items that may have simply been position within his or her hands/ 
     As graduation gowns are a traditional type of dress the alterations described herein with the current invention are not found in the prior art. The sizes shapes and styles associated with these traditional gowns may all be used with the current invention. 
     In one embodiment the gown would be produced from a number of different fabrics such as a blend of polyester and acetate. The pockets maybe hidden in the seam of the gown to ensure that they are not visible. They may further contain zippers for enhanced security and safety of the stored personal items. The long sleeve graduation gown may contain a front opening through which it could easily be positioned. 
     The materials used with the gown may not be limited by those mentioned herein, and the myriad of potential suitable materials will be recognized by those skilled in the art. The invention is not necessarily limited by any person particular type of material. 
     The pockets may also be designed in the shape and sizes or dimensions of certain personal items, including but not limited it to cell phones, computer tablets, go pro cameras, video or audio recording equipment, water bottles or other beverage containers, and the like, in order to specifically accommodate and fit a certain type of personal item. For example the pocket may be of the dimensions to snugly fit a cell phone, and may have an opaque interior side to allow to viewing or utilizing the touch screen without removing from the pocket. As such the pockets my further be designed to allow for a pocket system that securely holds the personal items with easy access to touch screen features or other control buttons. The may include use of a conductive opaque service or a mesh like material, for example. 
     The gown may also be accompanied by a graduation cap or mortarboard featuring and interior storage area. The storage are may be accomplished by have a removable interior piece to reveal a concealed compartment, or may a pocket or pocket like area with a zipper or buttons. Together, the cap and gown with pockets may also be combined to create an ensemble with many pockets or storage area options. 
     Now turning to the figures and drawings in detail.  FIG. 1  shows one embodiment of the current invention.  1  and  2  each point to a pocket opening on each side of the gown.  FIG. 2  shows various exemplary locations where hidden or visible pockets may be located across the various embodiments.  1  through  4  point to locations on the gown itself.  5  points to an area towards the top of and inside the graduation cap that may contain a hidden storage area.  FIG. 3  shows one element of the gown that may incorporate a zipper piece of a style and nature that matches the overall appearance of the gown. The zipper may further in certain embodiments be incorporated with the seams of a traditional down such that it is not noticeable or appear to be different from a traditional gown.  FIG. 4  shows how, as described in  FIG. 3 , the pocket openings or zippers, may be incorporated in the traditional seam lines of the gown such that they do not appear to be an alteration of the traditional gown. The arrows in the figure point to the edges of the opening of the pocket which are not noticeable from the exterior.  FIG. 5  shows a non-exhaustive list of exemplary locations and sizes where pockets, either visible or hidden, may be located within the gown.  FIG. 6  shows an area in the inside upper portion of the graduation cap, denoted by the dotted line where the arrow points, that may be used as a hidden storage area. The area may be accessed by a removable cover piece, zipper, or other similar means. 
     The pockets across the various embodiments may have openings that are closable and use various mean known in the art including but not limited to zippers, magnets, buttons, fasteners, Velcro, or clasps. 
     For the purposes of describing and defining the present invention it is noted that the use of relative terms such as “substantially”, ‘generally”, “approximately” and the like, are utilized herein to represent an inherent degree of uncertainty that may be attributed to any quantitative comparison, value, measurement, or other representation. These terms are also utilized herein to represent the degree by which a quantitative representation may vary from a stated reference without resulting in a change in the basic function of the subject matter at issue. 
     Exemplary embodiments of the present invention are described above. No element, act or instruction used in this description should be construed as important, necessary, critical or essential to the invention unless explicitly described as such. Although only a few of the exemplary embodiments have been described in detail herein and those skilled in the art will readily appreciate that many modifications are possible in these exemplary embodiments without materially departing from the novel teachings and advantages of this invention. Accordingly all such modifications are intended to be included within the scope of this invention. 
     The phrase “in one embodiment” is used repeatedly. The phrase generally does not refer to the same embodiment; however, it may. The terms “comprising,” “having” and “including” are synonymous, unless the context dictates otherwise. The following illustrations of various embodiments use particular terms by way of example to describe the various embodiments, but this should be construed to encompass and provide for terms such as “method” and “routine” and the like. 
     Various aspects of the illustrative embodiments will be described using terms commonly employed by those skilled in the art to convey the substance of their work to others skilled in the art. However, it will be apparent to those skilled in the art that the embodiments described herein may be practiced with only some of the described aspects. For purposes of explanation, specific numbers, materials and configurations are set forth in order to provide a thorough understanding of the illustrative embodiments. However, it will be apparent to one skilled in the art that the embodiments described herein may be practiced without the specific details. In other instances, well-known features are omitted or simplified in order not to obscure the illustrative embodiments. 
     The characteristics and utilities of the present invention described in this summary and the detailed description below are not all inclusive. Many additional features and advantages will be apparent to one of ordinary skill in the art given the following description. There has thus been outlined, rather broadly, the more important features of the invention in order that the detailed description thereof that follows may be better understood, and in order that the present contribution to the art may be better appreciated. 
     In this respect, by explaining at least one embodiment of the invention in detail, it is to be understood that the invention is not limited in its application to the details of construction and to the arrangements of the components set forth in the description. The invention is capable of other embodiments and of being practiced and carried out in various ways. Also, it is to be understood that the phraseology and terminology employed herein are for the purpose of description and should not be regarded as limiting. 
     As such, those skilled in the art will appreciate that the conception, upon which this disclosure is based, may readily be utilized as a basis for the designing of other structures, methods and systems for carrying out the several purposes of the present invention. It is important, therefore, that the description be regarded as including such equivalent constructions insofar as they do not depart from the spirit and scope of the present invention. 
     Further, the purpose of the foregoing abstract is to enable the U.S. Patent and Trademark Office and the public generally, and especially the scientists, engineers and practitioners in the art who are not familiar with patent or legal terms or phraseology, to determine quickly from a cursory inspection the nature and essence of the technical disclosure of the application. The abstract is neither intended to define the invention of the application, nor is it intended to be limiting as to the scope of the invention in any way. The characteristics and utilities of the present invention described in this summary and the detailed description below are not all inclusive. Many additional features and advantages will be apparent to one of ordinary skill in the art given the detailed description.