Patent Publication Number: US-2011056855-A1

Title: Plastic storage bags for moving clothing or other items with hanger in place

Description:
RELATED APPLICATIONS 
     The present application claims benefit of priority from U.S. Provisional Application No. 61/240,258, filed Sep. 7, 2009, which is incorporated herein by reference in its entirety. 
    
    
     BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
     The present invention generally relates to a bag for moving or storing clothing or other items with a hanger in place. 
     When moving clothing from residence to residence, to storage, or the like, people typically use boxes with a metal rack, boxes with no racks, expensive storage bags with no hanging ability, or expensive garment bags with limited hangers. 
     As can be seen, there is a need for storage bags for moving clothing or other items with the hanger in place supporting the clothing. 
     SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
     In one aspect of the present invention, a container comprises a bag having an open end and a closed end; a slit generally centrally located at the closed end; two gussets located at the closed end for expansion of the bag; a plastic draw string at the open end; and lines imprinted on a face of each bag; where items on hangers can be placed inside the bag bringing the hangers to the top of the bag and through the slit, the draw string can be pulled taut and tied at the open end of the bag to secure the items on hangers, and the contents of the bag can be printed on the lines imprinted on the face of the bag. 
     These and other features, aspects and advantages of the present invention will become better understood with reference to the following drawings, description and claims. 
    
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
         FIG. 1  shows a perspective view of an exemplary embodiment of the device according to the present invention. 
         FIG. 2  shows a top view of the exemplary embodiment of the device according to the present invention. 
         FIG. 3  shows a side view of the exemplary embodiment of the device according to the present invention. 
         FIG. 4  shows a front view of the exemplary embodiment of the device according to the present invention. 
     
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION 
     The following detailed description is of the best currently contemplated modes of carrying out exemplary embodiments of the invention. The description is not to be taken in a limiting sense, but is made merely for the purpose of illustrating the general principles of the invention, since the scope of the invention is best defined by the appended claims. 
     Various inventive features are described below that can each be used independently of one another or in combination with other features. 
     Broadly, embodiments of the present invention generally provide containers for moving or storing clothing or other fabric with a hanger in place. 
     In an exemplary embodiment the device  10  can comprise an inexpensive modified three mil gauge contractor&#39;s bag  12  with a five inch slit  14  at the top, imprinted lines  16  to label the contents, and a bottom draw string  20  ( FIG. 1 ). 
     In an embodiment, the instant bags  12  can use the plastic material typically used for contractor&#39;s disposal bags, and can have a reinforced plastic slit  14  (for example using double thick material around the perimeter of the slit) at the top (closed end) of the bag  12 , expandable gussets at both sides of the top, and a plastic draw string  20  at the bottom (open end) to secure the clothing. The bags  12  can be supplied with ties  22  to secure the hangers  24  to one another, thus preventing a single hanger  24  from slipping into the bag  12 . Each bag  12  can have about ten lines  16  imprinted on an outside face so the mover can list the contents of each bag  12 . 
     In alternative embodiments the bag can be made using a variety of thicknesses and from alternative materials. The thickness and material are selected such that the bag is flexible enough to be fitted over garments easily, and is thick enough to avoid inadvertent tearing. 
     The device  10  can be supplied in bulk (for example, ten to a box), and the device  10  can be designed for the moving and storage of multiple garments. The user simply takes the garments from the closet (on existing hangers  24 ) and places the garments into a bag  12  (up to, for example, about ten garments per bag  12 ), ties the hangers together with the enclosed tie  22  (to prevent one or more slipping down into the bag  12 ), pulls the drawstring  20  at the bottom closed, and continues packing. 
     In exemplary embodiments the instant bags  12  can be provided in multiple sizes. The length of the bag  12  can range from about 40 to about 72 inches. In specific examples the bag  12  can be 72-inches, 60-inches, or 40-inches in length, about 21 inches in width, and about seven inches in depth. The bag  12  can have about a five-inch slit  14  at the top with the slit  14  surrounded by reinforced material, such as double-thick plastic, two gussets for expansion on both shoulders of the bag  12  at the closed end, and a plastic draw string  20  at the bottom to secure the garments. The drawstring  20  can be contained within a 1-inch folded-over slot  18  of plastic around the perimeter of the open end of the bag  12 . Lines  16  can be imprinted on a face of each bag  12  that can be used to label the contents within (see  FIG. 4 ). Each box can have ten typically about 12-inch ties  22  to secure the hangers  24  together. The three mil gauge plastic can be used for the bag  12  itself and the draw string  20  at the open end. The tie  22  can be used to secure the hangers  24  together at the closed end to prevent a garment from falling down in the bag  12 . 
     In order to use the device the consumer can remove one device  10  from the box and place it on a surface. They then can remove up to about ten garments from their closet (with existing hangers  24 ) and place the garments inside the bag  12  bringing the hangers  24  to the top of the bag  12  and through the slit  14  at the top. They then can pull the draw string  20  taut at the bottom and tie the draw string  20 . They can list the contents of the bag  12  on the lines  16  on the face of the bag  12 . They then can take the device  10  to wherever they want to hang it, hang the hangers  24  up on the rack and remove the bag  12 . This device  10  can save time, material, and space. 
     The device can be useful, for example, to move clothing from one location to another, to store clothing long term, or to travel with clothing without packing the clothing in suitcases, risking wrinkling. The three exemplary sizes are convenient—72-inch for gowns, robes, long coats—60-inch for dresses, suits, and slacks, and 40-inch for shirts, blouses, sweaters, children&#39;s clothing, and the like. 
     Alternatively the device can be used to move or store items on hangers other than garments, for example, tablecloths, draperies, towels, blankets, and the like. 
     It should be understood, of course, that the foregoing relates to exemplary embodiments of the invention and that modifications may be made without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention as set forth in the following claims.