Abstract:
A temporary storage sleeve for holding an article of clothing comprising a front wait and a generally parallel back wall. The front wall and the back wall are spaced at a distance and interconnected along at least two edges forming a first side wall and a second side wall. The sleeve is open along at least two edges. The sleeve further comprises a releasable closure mechanism for securing the first wall relative to the back wall and at least partially occluding at least one of the at least two openings. One of the side walls includes at least one pleat, the pleat movable to an extended configuration greater than the spaced distance.

Description:
CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS 
       [0001]    None. 
       STATEMENT REGARDING FEDERALLY SPONSORED RESEARCH OR DEVELOPMENT 
       [0002]    None. 
       REFERENCE TO A “SEQUENCE LISTING” 
       [0003]    None. 
       TECHNICAL FIELD 
       [0004]    The present invention relates generally to a sleeve for temporarily holding articles of clothing and the like and more particularly to such a sleeve incorporating at least two interconnected edges forming first and second side walls, at least two open edges and a releasable closure mechanism that at least partially occludes at least one of the at least two openings. 
       BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
       [0005]    Travelers usually spend a significant amount of time and energy packing a suitcase to ensure that the articles of clothing remain wrinkle-free. Nevertheless, the articles of clothing are often wrinkled in transit. For example, security officials in airports often open passengers&#39; suitcases to ensure harmful items are not present. During such examination, the suitcase contents are shuffled, wrinkling the clothing items within. As a result, travelers are often discouraged and inconvenienced because their carefully packed items are wrinkled 
         [0006]    Several have attempted to design packages for enveloping articles of clothing. However, these packages do not have at least two interconnected edges and at least two open edges and so it is time consuming to insert items therein. Further, some of the known packages are only configured to hold a particulate type of clothing, for example, a collared shirt. 
         [0007]    What is needed then, is a sleeve for temporarily storing an article of clothing wherein the sleeve is inexpensive and not time consuming to use. 
       SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
       [0008]    Certain embodiments of the present invention are directed to a packaging sleeve for holding articles of clothing within a suitcase and provide one or more benefits and advantages not previously offered in the art, including, but not limited to a clothing sleeve that is inexpensive to manufacture, easy to use and expandable. 
         [0009]    The present invention provides a sleeve having a front wall and a generally parallel back wall which are spaced apart and interconnected along at least two edges forming a first and second side wall. The sleeve also includes at least two open edges and a releasable closure mechanism for securing the first wall relative to the back wall. The releasable closure mechanism at least partially occludes at least one of the at least two openings and may be integrally connected or affixed to the back wall. One of the side walls includes at least one pleat movable to an extended configuration greater than the spaced distance. 
         [0010]    In use, a consumer opens at least two edges of the sleeve. The front and back walls are at a spaced distance and interconnect along at least two edges forming a first side wall and a second side wall. The article of clothing is disposed within the sleeve, wherein the first side wall will expand to accommodate the article of clothing. A releasable closure mechanism is then fastened to secure the first wall relative to the back wall and to at least partially occlude at least one of the open edges. 
         [0011]    A plurality of storage sleeves can be manufactured by forming a longitudinal fold along a continuous sheet of flexible material to form a front wall, a back wall, a first side wall and an open edge. Then at least one crease is inserted into the longitudinal fold forming a pleated side wall. Lateral seals are placed along the front wall and back wall, wherein each seal forms a second side wall. The front wall and back wall are perforated to form a plurality of perforation lines parallel to each lateral seal. Finally, a tab is formed below each perforated line, wherein each tab is arranged to at least partially occlude the open edge. 
     
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWING FIGURES 
         [0012]      FIG. 1  is a perspective view of a storage sleeve. 
           [0013]      FIG. 2  is a perspective view of the storage sleeve showing a tab being folded around a first open edge to partially occlude the first open edge. 
           [0014]      FIG. 3  is a perspective view of the storage sleeve showing a flap of the tab being folded around a second open edge to partially occlude the second open edge. 
           [0015]      FIG. 4  is a perspective view of the storage sleeve showing the tab in the closed configuration. 
           [0016]      FIG. 5  is a perspective view of the storage sleeve showing a plurality of connected sleeves. 
       
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION 
       [0017]    At the outset, it should be appreciated that the use of the same reference number throughout the several figures designates a like or similar element. 
         [0018]    Referring now to the figures,  FIG. 1  is a perspective view of a storage sleeve  10  for an article of clothing  12 . Although a collared shirt is shown as the article of clothing  12  in the figure, it should be appreciated that other types of articles can be stored within the sleeve  10 , including but not limited to shirts, shorts, trousers, ties, sweaters, dresses, skirts, blouses, socks, undergarments, and towels. The sleeve  10  comprises a front wall  14  a back wall  16 , two side walls  18 ,  20 , and two open edges  22 ,  24 , and is preferably of a rectangular configuration, although other configurations are possible. The front and back walls  14 ,  16  are generally parallel. In one configuration, the back wall  16  can have a greater height and width than the front wall  14  such that the back wall  16  is aligned with the front wall  14  along side walls  18 ,  20  but extends slightly beyond the front wall  14  along the open edges  22 ,  24 . In another configuration, the front and back walls  14 ,  16  are approximately equal in height and width. A satisfactory range for the width has been found to be between 9 inches and 18 inches. A satisfactory range for the height has been found to be between 11½ inches and 23 inches. However, it should be understood that other sleeve sizes car be made to accommodate larger or smaller articles and these modifications are intended to be within the spirit and scope of the invention as claimed. 
         [0019]    At least one side wall, for example side wall  18 , may include a pleat  26  allowing the sleeve to expand to an extended configuration to accommodate bulkier articles of clothing. The pleat  26  is arranged to extend along the entire length of the side wall  18 . Although the pleat  26  can be any size, the pleat  26  preferably expands to a maximum of 6½ inches. The side walls  18 ,  20  interconnect the front and back walls  14 ,  16  and separate the front and back walls  14 ,  16  at a spaced distance. In a preferred embodiment, the pleat  26  along side wall  18  is moveable to an extended configuration greater than the spaced distance of the front and back walls  14 ,  16  wherein the spaced distance corresponds to the width of side wall  20 . It should be understood that although the sleeve  10  is shown having only one pleat  26  is shown extending along side wall  18 , side wall  20  may also be pleated and this modification is intended to be within the scope of the invention as claimed. 
         [0020]    The sleeve  10  may be made from polyethylene, vinyl or other types of thermoplastic materials. For example, for a thinner, more flexible sleeve, low-density polyethylene (LDPE) may be used. A high-density polyethylene (HDPE) can be used if a thicker, sturdier sleeve is desired. Preferably, the sleeve  10  is transparent so that the article(s) of clothing within the sleeve  10  can be quickly identified. In one embodiment, the sleeve  10  can be constructed such that the sleeve  10  can be disposed of after one use. A thinner, inexpensive material may be desired for a disposable sleeve. Alternatively, the sleeve  10  can be constructed such that the sleeve  10  is reusable re-used. A thicker, sturdier material may be desired for a reusable sleeve. 
         [0021]    As shown in  FIGS. 1-4 , the sleeve  10  further includes a closure tab  28  disposed along an upper portion of the back wall  16  and along the open edge  22 . The tab  28  may be integrally connected to the back wall  16  or affixed to the back wall  16 . The tab  28  forms a releasable closure mechanism for securing the front wall  14  to the back wall  16 . As shown in  FIGS. 2 and 3 , the tab  28  folds around the open edge  22 , towards an outer surface  30  of the front wall  14 . In one configuration, the tab  28  includes a fold line  32  contiguous to a portion of the perimeter edge of the back wall  16  and an inner fold line  34  arranged to align with a portion of the perimeter edge of the front wall  14 . Thus, a seam  36  having a predetermined width is formed between the fold lines  32 ,  34  and partially occludes the open edge  22 . The width of the seam  36  corresponds to the spaced distance of the front wall  14  and the back wall  16  as determined by the side wall  20 . Alternatively, the width of the seam  36  corresponds to the spaced distance of the front and back walls  14 ,  16  as determined by the pleat  26 . For example, if the pleat  26  is arranged to expand to a maximum of six inches, the seam  36  is approximately six inches. 
         [0022]    In yet another configuration, the fold line  32  is contiguous to a portion of the perimeter edge of both the front wall  14  and the back wall  16 . Thus, as shown in  FIG. 2 , rather than forming the seam  36  having a predetermined width, the front wall  14  and the back wall  16  are coupled together by the fold line  32  of the tab  28 . It should be understood that the tab  28  may be disposed along a perimeter edge of the front wall  16  rather than the back wall  14 , wherein the tab  28  folds around the open edge  22 , towards an outer surface (not shown) of the back wall  16 . Further, the tab  28  may alternatively be disposed laterally along the corner of open edge  24 . 
         [0023]    It should be appreciated that the sleeve  10  can be constructed using closure mechanisms other than the tab  28 . For example, a re-sealable zipper, such as a tongue-and-groove closure mechanism, may be disposed along side walls  22  and  24 , wherein side walls  18  and  20  are pleated. Alternatively, the sleeve  10  can be constructed to include the following: a tongue-and-groove closure mechanism along the open edge  22  allowing the opening to be re-sealable, the open edge  24 , and two pleated side walls  18  and  20 . Similarly, the sleeve  10  can be constructed to include open edge  22 , a tongue-and-groove closure mechanism along open edge  24 , and two pleated side walls  18  and  20 . These configurations can alternatively include only one pleat along one side wall, either side wall  18  or  20 , and this modification is intended to be within the scope of the invention as claimed. 
         [0024]    As shown in the figures, a perforation line  38  extending from the bottom of the tab  28  towards the top of the tab  28  forms a flap  40  which extends around the open edge  24  in a folded configuration. That is, the flap  40  couples the tab  28  to the back wall  16 . At least a portion of the flap  40  extends to an outer surface (not shown) of the back wall  16  and removably secures thereto by a securing means  42 . For example, the flap  40  may be snap engaged or secured with a hook and loop fastener such as VELCRO®. A double-sided adhesive may alternatively be applied. Also, the flap  40  can alternatively or additionally be secured to the front wall  14 . Although the flap  40  is shown with the perforation line  38 , it should be understood that the line  38  can be pre-cut rather than perforated during manufacturing. The tab  28  is arranged to partially occlude a portion of at least one of the open edges  22 ,  24  and preferably a portion of both the open edges  22 ,  24 . 
         [0025]    In use, a consumer opens the sleeve  10  by separating the front wall  14  and the back wall  16  along the open edges  22 ,  24 . Then, the customer places the article(s) of clothing  12  into the sleeve  10 . The pleat  26  along the side wall  18  will expand to accommodate the width of the article(s) of clothing  12  when the article(s) of clothing  12  is being inserted therein. To fasten the sleeve  10 , the customer folds the tab  28  along the fold line  32  towards the outer surface  30  of the front wall  14 . In one configuration, the customer then folds the tab  28  along fold line  34  to form the seam  36  along the tab  28 . The seam  36  partially occludes the open edge  22 . Finally, the perforation line  38  is separated to create the flap  40 . As shown in  FIG. 4 , the flap  40  is folded along two parallely spaced lateral fold lines  52 ,  54  and extends around the open edge  24 . Finally, the flap  40  is folded again along a third lateral fold line  56 . The flap  40  forms a flap seam  58  which partially occludes the open edge  24 . The lateral fold line  54  is contiguous to a perimeter end  60  of the front wall  14  and fold line  56  is contiguous to a perimeter end  62  of the back wall  16 . However, in another configuration, as shown in  FIG. 3 , the lateral fold line  54  receives both the perimeter ends of the front wall and back wall  60 ,  62  such that fold line  54  partially occludes the open edge  24 . The flap  40  is releasably secured to the back surface (not shown) of the back wall  16 . 
         [0026]    As shown in  FIG. 5 , a plurality of sleeves  10  can be produced using a continuous sheet of flexible material, which is pleated and sealed to form the side walls  18 ,  20  and perforated in one operation. That is, the lead edge  64  of a continuous sheet of material is longitudinally folded, approximately in half, to form an interior pocket having the front wall  14 , back wall  16  and side wall  18 . The pleat  26  is formed along the side wall  18  by inserting a small crease into the interior pocket. Alternatively, a plurality of small creases can be inserted into the interior pocket to form a multi-fold pleat. Equally spaced parallel seals  66  form the second side wall  20  of each sleeve  10 . In addition, lateral perforation lines  68  parallel to the seals  66  are placed slightly below each seal  66 . Each lateral seal  66  can be formed by, for example, a heat seal, an adhesive, or a plurality of snaps. The tab  28  is then affixed to a perimeter edge  70  of the back wall  16  of each sleeve  10 . By “affixed” it is meant that the tab  28  is connected to the sleeve  10  by sealing or adhering the tab  28  thereto, for example by a heat seal, an adhesive, snaps, etc. 
         [0027]    Alternatively, the flexible material can be longitudinally folded wherein the back wall  16  extends beyond the front wall  14  at a distance equal to the width of the tab  28 . Then, a portion of the excess material is cut away such that the remaining material forms the tab  28  that is integrally connected to the back wall  16 . A releasable securing means  42  (shown in  FIG. 2 ), such as VELCRO®, a snap, or an adhesive, can be disposed on the back surface of the flap  40  as shown in  FIG. 2 . It may be necessary to dispose a corresponding securing element to the outer surface of the back wall  16  if a snap, VELCRO® or similar mechanism is used as for the securing means  42 . Also, a slit for receiving the flap  40  can be disposed on the back surface of the back wall  16 . The sleeves  10  can be sold as a continuous roll, wherein a consumer separates each sleeve  10  along the perforation line  68  before use. Alternatively, the sleeves  10  may be cut rather than perforated along line  68  and sold separately. 
         [0028]    Thus, the article of clothing is contained within the sleeve to substantially eliminate wrinkling. Further, having each article of clothing neatly contained in a sleeve within a piece of luggage will allow security officials at airports to survey the luggage more quickly and therefore, travelers will experience shorter delays at security check points. 
         [0029]    The invention may be embodied in other specific forms without departing from the spirit or essential characteristics thereof. The present embodiments are therefore to be considered in all respects as illustrative and not restrictive, the scope of the invention being indicated by the appended claims rather than by the foregoing description and all changes that come within the meaning and range of equivalency of the claims are therefore intended to be embraced therein.