Patent Publication Number: US-11643770-B2

Title: Bag and fastener design

Description:
CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS 
     This application claims priority as a 371 filing of International Application No. PCT/US2018/019121 filed Feb. 22, 2018, entitled “Bag and Fastener Design,” which claims priority to and benefit of United States provisional patent application No. 62/463,362 filed Feb. 24, 2017, the contents of each of which is incorporated herein by reference in its entirety. 
    
    
     FIELD 
     This invention is in the field of containers, more specifically, bags. 
     BACKGROUND 
     When washing clothing using a conventional washing machine, certain items of clothing may be separated from the remainder of the clothing to be washed. Typically, these items of clothing are delicate, can be tangled, or have some other reason to warrant special treatment. These items may be put in a separate garment bag which is then deposited in the wash with the remaining items of clothing. 
     Brassieres (bras) may be included in the garment bag to separate them from the remainder of the wash. These garment bags seek to prevent deformation and tangling of the bra as a result of interaction with the remainder of the clothing to be washed during the use (cycle) of a conventional washing machine. 
     Known garment bags have a number of disadvantages. For example, these bags may cause bras to become entangled either with themselves or other items deposited in the bag. In addition, hooks (which are typically provided on the band of a bra as part of a hook-and-eye closure) may become entangled in known bags. Known garment bags may likewise require twisting of the bra to fit within the bag. As a result, bras may be damaged or deformed. In addition, other items of clothing may be damaged or deformed, for example, when the bra becomes entangled with or hooked into other items in the bag. Another disadvantage of some known garment bags is complexity of use. 
     SUMMARY 
     The disclosed invention seeks to remedy the deficiencies noted above. Namely, the disclosed garment bag according to various embodiments seeks to allow for easy deposit of a bra into the bag while retaining the bra hooks. The disclosed invention may allow for reduction in tangling or damage from hooks to other items of clothing or to the bra itself over known garment bags. 
     Disclosed is a garment bag comprising: a bag body defining an internal volume; a top edge, the top edge defining an opening leading to the internal volume; a closing mechanism provided along the top edge; and a plurality of receiving fasteners provided on the bag body adjacent to the top edge. Further disclosed is a garment bag further comprising a dividing panel coupled to the bag body in the internal volume, wherein the dividing panel divides the internal volume into two chambers. Further disclosed is a garment bag further comprising wherein the plurality of receiving fasteners comprises a first plurality of receiving fasteners and a second plurality of receiving fasteners is provided in the internal volume opposite the first plurality of receiving fasteners. 
     Disclosed is a garment bag comprising: a first panel having a first edge, second edge, top edge, and bottom edge; a second panel having a first edge, second edge, top edge, and bottom edge; wherein the first panel and second panel are attached along the first panel first edge and second panel first edge, first panel second edge and second panel second edge, first panel bottom edge and second panel bottom edge, defining a bag interior; and wherein a plurality of receiving fasteners are provided in the bag interior on the first panel adjacent to the top edge. Further disclosed is a garment bag further comprising wherein a second plurality of receiving fasteners are provided in the bag interior on the second panel adjacent the top edge. Further disclosed is a garment bag further comprising wherein the plurality of receiving fasteners are attached to the first panel by way of a backing material. Further disclosed is a garment bag further comprising wherein the plurality of receiving fasteners u-shaped and metal. The garment bag of claim  4 , wherein the top edge comprises a closing mechanism. The garment bag of claim  4 , wherein a third panel is coupled to the first panel left edge and first panel right edge, the third panel dividing the bag interior into two chambers. 
     Disclosed is a garment bag comprising: a first panel having a left edge, right edge, top edge, and bottom edge; a second panel having a left edge, right edge, top edge, and bottom edge; wherein the first panel and second panel are attached along the first panel left edge and second panel left edge, first panel right edge and second panel right edge, first panel bottom edge and second panel bottom edge, defining a bag interior; and wherein a first plurality of receiving fasteners are provided in the bag interior on the first panel adjacent to the top edge and a second plurality of receiving fasteners are provided in the bag interior on the second panel adjacent to the top edge. Further disclosed is a garment bag comprising a third panel dividing the bag interior into two chambers. Further disclosed is a garment bag wherein the third panel is connected to the first panel left edge and second panel left edge. Further disclosed is a garment bag wherein the first plurality of receiving fasteners and second plurality of receiving fasteners are sized to accept at least one hook provided on a bra. Further disclosed is a garment bag wherein each receiving fastener of the first plurality of receiving fasteners and second plurality of receiving fasteners is u-shaped. 
     These and other features and advantages of various exemplary embodiments of systems and methods according to this invention are described in, or are apparent from, the following detailed descriptions of various exemplary embodiments of various devices, structures and/or methods according to this invention. 
    
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF DRAWINGS 
       Various examples of embodiments of the systems, devices, and methods according to this invention will be described in detail, with reference to the following figures, wherein: 
         FIG.  1    shows a garment bag according to various embodiments. 
         FIG.  2    shows a detail version of a garment bag, showing three panels, according to various embodiments. 
         FIG.  3    shows a detail view of a garment bag, showing a closing mechanism, according to various embodiments. 
         FIG.  4    shows a detail view of a garment bag, showing a closing mechanism, according to various embodiments. 
         FIG.  5    shows a detail view of a garment bag according to various examples of embodiments, showing a number of receiving fasteners provided on a bag panel. 
         FIG.  6    shows a detail view of a garment bag according to various examples of embodiments, showing a number of receiving fasteners provided on a bag panel. 
         FIG.  7    shows a detail view of a garment bag, showing a number of receiving fasteners provided on a bag panel, according to various embodiments. 
         FIG.  8    shows a detail view of a garment bag, showing a number of receiving fasteners provided on a bag panel, according to various embodiments. 
         FIG.  9    shows an article of clothing provided within a garment bag, according to various embodiments. 
         FIG.  10    shows a detail view of a garment attached to the garment bag, according to various embodiments. 
         FIG.  11    shows a second view of an article of clothing provided within a garment bag, according to various embodiments. 
     
    
    
     It should be understood that the drawings are not necessarily to scale. In certain instances, details that are not necessary to the understanding of the invention or render other details difficult to perceive may have been omitted. It should be understood, of course, that the invention is not necessarily limited to the particular embodiments illustrated herein. 
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION 
     Referring now to the Figures, a garment bag  101  is shown. The garment bag  101  disclosed, in various embodiments, may reduce the ability for garments (e.g.  301 ) to entangle or twist with themselves or other garments during a washing cycle in a washing machine. In various embodiments, the garment bag  101  may allow for protection of hooks  303  provided on a garment  301  (for example, on a brassiere (bra)) during a washing cycle in a washing machine. Therefore, the disclosed garment bag  101  may, in various embodiments, also extend the longevity of garments. 
     In  FIG.  1   , a garment bag  101  according to various examples of embodiments is shown.  FIG.  1    can be understood as showing an exterior of a garment bag  101 , according to various examples of embodiments. The garment bag  101  may have a bag body  103  defining an internal volume  105  in various examples of embodiments. The garment bag  101  may further feature a top edge  107  defining an opening  109 . The top edge  107  may further feature a closing mechanism which may comprise a drawstring  112  and a cinch fastener  111  for opening and closing the bag, in various examples of embodiments. Any suitable mechanism may be contemplated as within the scope of this disclosure, such as, but not limited to, snaps, buttons, hook-and-loop fastener, zipper, and the like. While one opening  109  is shown, more than one may be contemplated as within the scope of the invention. 
     In various embodiments, the garment bag  101  may be constructed of a fabric  135 . The fabric  135  may be seen in  FIG.  1    as a mesh fabric i.e. a knit fabric having a number of openings. The mesh-style fabric may advantageously allow for water to flow through the fabric  135  and clean the garments (e.g. garment  301 ) provided therein. In addition, the mesh fabric  135  may allow for a faster dry time for enabling subsequent use of the bag  101 . In addition, the mesh fabric  135  may be a nylon construction, which may advantageously prevent color transfers during the wash cycle. 
       FIG.  2    shows an exploded view of a garment bag  101 , according to various examples of embodiments. The garment bag  101  may consist of a number of layers of fabric, which may create a number of chambers. In various embodiments, the bag may consist of a first panel  113 , second panel  123 , and third panel  133 . The first panel may have a first edge  115 , second edge  117 , top edge  119 , and bottom edge  121 . The second panel may have a first edge  125 , second edge  127 , top edge  129  and bottom edge  131 . The panels  113 ,  123 ,  133  may be connected (e.g. sewn together or otherwise fastened), in various embodiments, along three sides (e.g. the first panel first edge  115  and second panel first edge  125 , first panel second edge  117  and  127 , and first panel bottom edge  121  and second panel bottom edge  131 . The panels may be understood to be connected along the length of each edge. The first panel top edge  119  and second panel top edge  129  may define an opening. While sewing or connecting the panels along the length of three edges to facilitate an opening across the length of a top edge is disclosed, for example, sewing the panels together on two sides, or on part of the fourth side (or parts of one or more sides), should be considered as within the scope of this disclosure. The third panel  133  may likewise be connected to the first panel  113  and second panel  123 . In various embodiments, the third panel  133  may be connected to the first panel  113  first edge  115  and first panel second edge  117  and/or the second panel first edge  125  and second panel second edge  127 . In various embodiments, the third panel  133  may span the internal volume  105  of the garment bag  101 , creating two chambers  104 . The third panel  133  may divide a plurality of receiving fasteners  137  provided on the first panel  113  and second panel  123 . 
     In addition, while a rectangular or square fabric panel is shown, other shapes (triangle, quadrilateral, circle, polygon, or other shape) are within the scope of this disclosure. In various embodiments, where three layers of fabric are used, the panels may be sewn together and two chambers  104  may be created. The two chambers  104  may keep garments separate and reduce the ability to twist together. The chambers  104  may be created, in various embodiments, by connecting the three panels (for example, sewing the three panels together) on three edges, leaving a fourth edge of each panel open. Alternatively, connecting the panels ( 113 ,  123 , and/or  133 ) in a non-edge location may be contemplated as within the scope of this disclosure. Connection in the alternate location may, in various embodiments, allow for chambers  104  of varying sizes. 
     In the figures, for example,  FIG.  2   , the first layer may have a number of receiving fasteners  137  which may comprise a number of receiving fasteners (i.e. u-shaped receiving fasteners, receiving hooks, metal loop, eye portion of hook-and-eye fastener, etc.) the second layer may have no receiving fasteners, and the third layer may have a number of other receiving fasteners. In various embodiments, the receiving fasteners  137  may be u-shaped. The receiving fasteners may be sized and shaped to accommodate a standard bra fastener. The first panel  113  and second panel  123  having receiving fasteners  137  may face inward toward the third panel  133 , in various examples of embodiments. In various embodiments, the panels ( 113 ,  123 , and/or  133 ) may allow for multiple garments having hooks to be received by receiving fasteners  137  and provided within a bag  101 . More particularly, in various embodiments, the panels ( 113 ,  123 , and/or  133 ) may allow for multiple sets of receiving fasteners  137  to be provided within each bag  101 . In various embodiments, each garment bag  101  may have two panels (i.e. first panel  113  and second panel  123 ) having a number of sets of receiving fasteners  137  (for example, two or three sets of three receiving fasteners  137  each). In various examples of embodiments, the receiving fasteners  137  may be provided adjacent to a top edge  119  of the garment bag  101 . This arrangement may allow for ease in attaching the garment  301  to the bag  101  for washing. Other arrangements (locations of the hooks, location of the opening) may be contemplated within the scope of this disclosure. For example, a third panel  133  may not be provided, and the bag  101  may be constructed of two panels ( 113 ,  123 ). In an alternative embodiment, more than three panels may be provided (e.g., four, five, six, etc.) which may allow for additional chambers (three, four, five, etc.) in the bag  101 . In various embodiments, the panels may be sewn together and one or more closing and opening mechanisms  111  provided. 
       FIGS.  3  and  4   , various embodiments of closing and opening mechanisms  111  may be seen.  FIG.  3    shows a drawstring-style  112  closing and opening mechanism  111 . In various embodiments,  FIG.  3    shows a detail view of a top of a bag  101 , according to various embodiments. The bag  101  may be seen in  FIG.  3    as in a closed state (i.e. opening  109  is substantially inaccessible). A rope or string may be provided through a top portion (i.e. top edge  107 ) of the bag  101 , with extra length provided externally to the bag  101 . A drawstring  112  and clasp (for example, a toggle spring stop style clasp) may be provided on the rope or string  112  in order to hold the bag  101  shut. 
       FIG.  4    shows another embodiment of the garment bag  201  having an opening and closing mechanism  221 . In various embodiments,  FIG.  4    may be understood as a top view of the bag  201  having a zipper  221 . In various embodiments, the zipper may span a top edge of the bag. In various embodiments, the zipper  221  may span connect a first panel top edge  219  and second panel top edge  229 , which when unzipped allows access to an opening  209 . 
       FIGS.  5 - 8    show a number of different arrangements of receiving fasteners  137  for a garment bag  101 , according to various examples of embodiments. In various embodiments, the amount of receiving fasteners  137  and number of sets of hooks (i.e. groups of receiving fasteners  137  grouped together or otherwise provided on each base  139 ) can vary. In various embodiments, the amount and number of sets of receiving fasteners  137  may depend on the overall size of the garment bag  101  and the overall size of the garment  301  for use with the bag  101 . A number of receiving fasteners  137  may be provided on a thickened piece of fabric or base  139 . This base  139  may provide a secure anchor or holder for the receiving fasteners  137 . The base  139  may then be sewn or otherwise attached to the panel ( 113 ,  123 , and/or  133 ). The receiving fasteners  137  on the base  139  may be provided on an interior face of a panel ( 113 ,  123 ,  133 ), e.g. inside/within internal volume  105  of the bag  101 . The receiving fasteners  137  may be oriented such that they are accessible when reaching into the bag  101 , for example, to put a garment inside (e.g. garment  301 ). 
     In  FIG.  5   , a detail view of a garment bag  101 , specifically a panel  113  (while first panel  113  is specified, it should be understood the detail may likewise be applied to second panel  123  or third panel  133 ) is provided, according to various embodiments. Two receiving fasteners  137  may be seen provided on each base  139 . In addition, a fabric backing  141  may be seen behind the receiving fasteners  137 . The fabric backing  141  may be attached or sewn to the base  139 . The fabric backing  141  may aid in connecting a hook provided on a garment (e.g. a bra fastener) to the receiving fastener  137  provided on the bag  101  or bag panel  113 . Three groups or sets of the two receiving fasteners  137  on a base  139  are shown provided on the panel  113 . The panel  113  may further comprise a first edge  115 , send edge  117 , top edge  119 , and bottom edge  121 . 
     An alternative embodiment is shown in  FIG.  6   . In  FIG.  6   , a detail view of a garment bag  101 , specifically a panel  113  (while first panel  113  is specified, it should be understood the detail may likewise be applied to second panel  123  or third panel  133 ) is provided, according to various embodiments. Two receiving fasteners  137  may be seen provided on each base  139 . Three panels of the two receiving fasteners  137  on a base  139  are shown provided on the panel  113 . The panel  113  may further comprise a first edge  115 , send edge  117 , top edge  119 , and bottom edge  121 . Here, the two receiving fasteners  137  are provided on a base  139  and attached to a panel  113  for provision into a bag  101 . Three sets of the two receiving fasteners  137  on a base  139  are shown. The receiving fasteners  137  on the base  139  are provided without a fabric backing. 
     Another alternative embodiment may likewise be seen in  FIG.  7   . A detail view of a garment bag  101 , specifically a panel  113  (while first panel  113  is specified, it should be understood the detail may likewise be applied to second panel  123  or third panel  133 ) is again provided, according to various embodiments. Here, three receiving fasteners  137  are provided on a base  139 . The base  139  is attached to a bag panel  113  to be provided as part of a bag  101 . Three sets of fasteners having three receiving fasteners  137  are provided on the base  139 . In addition, a fabric backing  141  is provided for the three receiving fasteners  137  on each base  139 . The fabric backing  141  may be seen behind the receiving fasteners  137 . The fabric backing  141  may be attached or sewn to the base  139 . The fabric backing  141  may aid in connecting a hook provided on a garment (e.g. a bra fastener) to the receiving fastener  137  provided on the bag  101  or bag panel  113 . Three groups or sets of the three receiving fasteners  137  on a base  139  are shown provided on the panel  113 . The panel  113  may further comprise a first edge  115 , send edge  117 , top edge  119 , and bottom edge  121 . 
     Yet another alternative embodiment is shown in  FIG.  8   . A detail view of a garment bag  101 , specifically a panel  113  (while first panel  113  is specified, it should be understood the detail may likewise be applied to second panel  123  or third panel  133 ) is again provided, according to various embodiments. Here, three receiving fasteners  137  are provided on a base  139 . The base  139  is attached to a bag panel  113  to be provided as part of a bag  101 . Three sets of fasteners having three receiving fasteners  137  are provided on the base  139 . No fabric backing is provided. Three groups or sets of the three receiving fasteners  137  on a base  139  are shown provided on the panel  113 . The panel  113  may further comprise a first edge  115 , send edge  117 , top edge  119 , and bottom edge  121 . 
     In various embodiments, the receiving fastener  137 , base  139 , backing  141 , and panel ( 113 ,  123 ,  131 ) arrangements of  FIGS.  5 - 8    may be provided into a 1-2 chamber  104  mesh bag having rectilinear panels with a drawstring or zipper closure. Alternatively, the panels ( 113 ,  123 ,  131 ) and bag  101  may be constructed in connection with the other disclosed arrangements disclosed above. While sets of two or three receiving fasteners  137  on a base  139  may be seen in the example embodiments, more or less receiving fasteners  137  or sets on each base  139  may be understood to be contemplated as within the scope of this disclosure. For example, one receiving fastener  137  per base  139 , or sets of four or more receiving fasteners per base  139  may be contemplated as within the scope of this disclosure. In addition, while three sets of bases  139  having receiving fasteners  137  may be seen, more or less bases  139  with receiving fasteners  137  should be contemplated as within the scope of this disclosure. For example, one base  139  with many receiving fasteners  137 , or many bases  139  with few receiving fasteners  137 , or variations thereof (e.g., one base with more than three receiving fasteners  137  provided on a panel ( 113 ,  123 ,  133 ) with another base  139  with less than three receiving fasteners  137  on the same panel) should be understood as within the scope of this disclosure. Variations on the spacing of the hooks should likewise be contemplated as within the scope of this disclosure. Closer or further spacing of the hooks relative to each other or varied spacing thereof is contemplated as within the scope of this disclosure. 
       FIGS.  9 - 11    show examples of a garment provided within a bag, according to various examples of embodiments. 
       FIG.  9    shows a closed garment bag  101  having a cinch fastener  111  with a drawstring  112 . The closing mechanism is provided along a top edge  107  of the bag  101  to allow access to an opening  109  leading to an internal volume  105  of the bag body  103 . The bag  101  is comprised of a mesh fabric. A number of receiving hooks  137  is provided on the bag body  103  by way of a number of bases  139 . The receiving fasteners  137  and bases  139  can be seen inside the bag  101 . Attached to the receiving fasteners  137  is a garment  301 , specifically a bra, having a number of fastening hooks  303  attached to the receiving fasteners  137 . 
       FIG.  10    shows a second view of the bag  101  of  FIG.  9   , according to various examples of embodiments. Here, the bag  101  can be seen in an open position, the closing mechanism  111  and drawstring  112  opened showing access to the internal volume  105  of the bag body  103  by way of the opening  109  which is defined by the first panel top edge  119 , second panel top edge  129  and third panel  133 . a number of fasteners  137  may be seen adjacent to the first panel top edge  119 . The plurality of fasteners  137  may be attached to the first panel by way of a base  139 . The receiving fasteners  137  may likewise comprise a backing fabric  141 . The receiving fasteners may be seen attached to a garment  301  by way of garment hooks  303  provided on the garment  301 . The bag  101  may be divided into two chambers  104  by a third panel  133 . The bag may be defined by the first and second panels joined along a first panel first edge  115  and second panel first edge  125 , a first panel second edge  117  and second panel second edge  127 , and a first panel bottom edge  121  and second panel bottom edge  131 . Further receiving fasteners  137  may be seen on the second panel. 
     A detail view of  FIG.  10    may be seen in  FIG.  11   . Again, two openings  109  can be seen defined by a second panel top edge  129 , first panel top edge  119  and third panel  133 . Receiving fasteners  137  are shown provided on a base  139  having a backing  141 . A garment  301  having hooks  303  may be seen attached to the receiving hooks  137  by hooking through the u-shaped receiving fastener  137 . 
     In use, a brassiere (bra) or other garment  301  having hooks  303  may be hooked into a receiving fastener  137  (hooks) provided on the garment bag  101  (or bag panels  113 ,  123 ,  133 ). Then the remainder of the garment  301  may be provided into the bag  101  openings  109  and inserted into the bag body  103 . Additional garments may likewise be added to the bag  101 . Finally, the bag may be closed using the closing mechanism  111  (for example by tightening the drawstring  112  or zipping the zipper  211 ) and added into a standard washing machine for cleaning of the garments. 
     Hooking the garment to the bag, in various embodiments, may help keep the garment from being caught on other pieces of laundry (garments) and from snagging or tearing the garment and other pieces of laundry. In addition, hooking the garment to the bag, in various embodiments, may prevent bending of the garment hook. In addition, the garment bag, in various embodiments, may have multiple chambers  104 . The provision of multiple chambers  104  may further protect garments from twisting or entangling with other garments within or external to the bag during the washing process. 
     As utilized herein, the terms “approximately,” “about,” “substantially”, and similar terms are intended to have a broad meaning in harmony with the common and accepted usage by those of ordinary skill in the art to which the subject matter of this disclosure pertains. It should be understood by those of skill in the art who review this disclosure that these terms are intended to allow a description of certain features described and claimed without restricting the scope of these features to the precise numerical ranges provided. Accordingly, these terms should be interpreted as indicating that insubstantial or inconsequential modifications or alterations of the subject matter described and claimed are considered to be within the scope of the invention as recited in the appended claims. 
     It should be noted that references to relative positions (e.g., “top” and “bottom” or “left” and “right”) in this description are merely used to identify various elements as are oriented in the Figures. It should be recognized that the orientation of particular components may vary greatly depending on the application in which they are used. 
     For the purpose of this disclosure, the term “coupled” means the joining of two members directly or indirectly to one another. Such joining may be stationary in nature or moveable in nature. Such joining may be achieved with the two members or the two members and any additional intermediate members being integrally formed as a single unitary body with one another or with the two members or the two members and any additional intermediate members being attached to one another. Such joining may be permanent in nature or may be removable or releasable in nature. 
     It is also important to note that the construction and arrangement of the system, methods, and devices as shown in the various examples of embodiments is illustrative only. Although only a few embodiments have been described in detail in this disclosure, those skilled in the art who review this disclosure will readily appreciate that many modifications are possible (e.g., variations in sizes, dimensions, structures, shapes and proportions of the various elements, values of parameters, mounting arrangements, use of materials, colors, orientations, etc.) without materially departing from the novel teachings and advantages of the subject matter recited. For example, elements shown as integrally formed may be constructed of multiple parts or elements show as multiple parts may be integrally formed, the operation of the interfaces may be reversed or otherwise varied, the length or width of the structures and/or members or connector or other elements of the system may be varied, the nature or number of adjustment positions provided between the elements may be varied (e.g. by variations in the number of engagement slots or size of the engagement slots or type of engagement). The order or sequence of any process or method steps may be varied or re-sequenced according to alternative embodiments. Other substitutions, modifications, changes and omissions may be made in the design, operating conditions and arrangement of the various examples of embodiments without departing from the spirit or scope of the present inventions.