Abstract:
A garment bag for controlling the odors incident upon hunters&#39; clothing stored prior to hunting, the bag having an integrated vapor barrier and serially operated zippers separated by a foldable zipper separator.

Description:
FIELD OF THE INVENTION 
     The present invention generally relates to luggage and more particularly relates to odor-controlling luggage and even more particularly relates to a scent bag for protecting garments worn by hunters from absorbing undesirable odors. Various hunters, especially hunters of large mammals having well developed olfactory senses, are concerned about odors that might be emitted by the clothing they wear during hunting. Special care is taken to rid these clothes from odors normally associated with humans and other sources of odors not typically found in nature; e.g. special scent-free detergents are used to wash the clothing of the hunter, as well as adding a natural additional scent to emit a desirable (non-human) odor to cover up the remaining human and unnatural odors. 
     While these approaches have been used in the past to assist hunters in odor control, they often have difficulty transporting their scent free or scented clothing while traveling. Frequently, hunters have used large tightly sealing plastic bags (often called zip-lock bags having zip-lock seals which are typically a sliding sealer of a ridge on one side fitting into a resilient trough on the opposing side), other hunters have used garbage bags or normal garment bags. Each of these approaches has some drawbacks. Often, the plastic bags, the garment bags and the garbage bags have their own undesirable odor associated with them. For example, it is difficult to rid a typical garment bag of odors that it may have acquired from previous uses. Also, it is difficult to wash any odors from a garbage bag. The plastic bags and the garbage bags are often punctured when they are handled during transportation. Additionally, such garment bags can allow penetration of odors through zippers and other openings, especially if the bag is carried in the trunk compartment of an automobile where numerous offensive odors may be present. 
     Consequently, there exists a need for an improved bag for transporting scented and scent-free clothing for hunters which overcomes these difficulties. 
     SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
     It is an object of the present invention to provide an odor-controlling garment bag. 
     It is a feature of the present invention to include multiple zipper closures to prevent and restrict airflow into and out of the bag. 
     It is an advantage of the present invention to provide easy access in and out of the bag while allowing for much restricted airflow through the openings in which clothing can be inserted. 
     It is another feature of the present invention to include a vapor barrier disposed inside the bag for restricting airflow through the material from which the bag is made. 
     It is another advantage of the present invention to provide for durable material to be used as the primary structural material of the bag while incorporating a vapor barrier to prevent and restrict airflow and transmission of odors. 
     The present invention is a method and apparatus which is designed to satisfy the aforementioned needs, provide the previously stated objects, include the above-listed features, and achieve the already articulated advantages. In the present invention, the transmission of odors from a garment disposed inside a bag is reduced. 
     Accordingly, the present invention is a method and apparatus for transporting a scent-free of scent-controlled garment in a bag which restricts the transfer of odors to and from the contents of the bag through use of serial zipper enclosures and further including a vapor barrier. 
    
    
     BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
     The invention may be more fully understood by reading the following description of preferred embodiments of the invention, in conjunction with the appended drawings wherein: 
     FIG. 1 is a perspective elevation view of a preferred embodiment of the present invention showing both zipper closures and showing the placement of the outer zipper closure in a position about and surrounding the inner zipper closure. 
     FIG. 2 is a perspective top view of a preferred embodiment of the present invention in which the outer zipper is in an open position and the inner zipper has been closed and rolled into a vapor barrier. 
     FIG. 3 is a perspective elevation view of the preferred embodiment of the present invention in which the inner zipper has been placed completely within the bag and is in the process of being enclosed by the outer zipper. 
     FIG. 4 is a cross-sectional view of a top portion of the present invention showing the relationship of the handles, outer zipper and the top of the bag as they might be arranged if the bag were being held by the handles. 
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION 
     Now referring to the drawings, where like numerals refer to like matter throughout, and more particularly to FIG. 1, there is shown a scent-controlling garment bag generally designated 100 having a bottom edge 102 and a top zippered edge 104, a first side 106 and a second side 108. The bag 100 further has an odor-controlling and airflow-restricting apparatus generally designated 110 disposed within the bag 100 and extending through the zippered opening at the top end of the bag 104. When the bag is being sealed, the odor-controlling and airflow-restricting apparatus 110 is rolled inside of the bag 100 and has a top zippered section 114, a first side 116 and a second side 118. Apparatus 110 further has a bottom side (not shown in FIG. 1) which is sewed to the interior of bag 100. Apparatus 110 is further shown having adhesive strips 120 and 122 which are preferably of the latch and hook type adhesive commonly known as Velcro. Also shown in FIG. 1 is a first handle 130 and a second handle 132 which are attached to the exterior of the bag 100 between the top edge 104 and the bottom edge 102. Also shown in FIG. 1 is a zipper 109 disposed along the top edge 104 of bag 100, and there is also shown a second interior zipper 119 which is disposed along the top edge 114 of apparatus 110. 
     Now referring to FIG. 2, there is shown the bag 100 with apparatus 110 being rolled by a users 200. Also shown are Velcro strips 202, 204, and 206 which are affixed to the lining 208 of apparatus 110. 
     Now referring to FIG. 3, there is shown the bag 100 with the apparatus 110 filly rolled into the bag 100 with the user 200 closing the bag by manipulating zippered top edge 104. Also shown is a Velcro strip 302 affixed to lining 208. 
     Now referring to FIG. 4, there is shown a cross-sectional view of a top portion of the bag 100. The handles 130, 132 are shown arranged as they would be if the bag were being carried. The bottom 102 of the bag is not shown. 
     Now referring to the figures, the preferred materials and construction techniques are as follows: the exterior fabric of the bag is preferably a woven nylon material, but other materials with some or all of the following characteristics could be substituted in certain circumstances; pliable, durable, water repellant, snag resistant, lightweight, and inexpensive. The lining 208 of bag 100 is preferably made of the same material as the exterior 101; however, it is understood that a lighter weight, less durable material may be used under certain circumstances, especially where weight or cost is critical. A vapor barrier 111 is disposed between the linings 124 and 208 of bag 100 and apparatus 110. The vapor barrier 111 is preferably a sheet of aluminum foil sandwiched between the exterior material 101 and the lining 208. It is preferable that all parts of the bag be secured to each other with high strength sewing techniques; however, any other securing means could be substituted, such as adhesives, fusing or bonding the material together with heat, pressure, solvents, or a combination thereof, or any other means now in the garment or luggage industries. Zippers are preferred as closing means, but sliding sealers (as in zip-lock bags) and other methods could be substituted. 
     It is thought that the method and apparatus of the present invention will be understood from the foregoing description and that it will be apparent that various changes may be made in the form, construction, steps and arrangement of the parts and steps thereof, without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention or sacrificing all of their material advantages. The form herein described being merely a preferred or exemplary embodiment thereof.