Abstract:
A system for storage of an article of clothing intended for emergency use. The system includes a pouch formed of a flexible, waterproof, substantially tear-resistant, high tensile strength material, the pouch having a volume in a range of 400 to 1000 cubic centimeters, the pouch including a selectable opening and closure of a longitudinal opening of the pouch. The system also includes an article of clothing that is a wrinkle-resistant polymeric fabric, capable of selectable folding and compression to less than the volume of the pouch and which is press- or slip-fittable thereinto. The pouch includes a lining of moisture and heat-resistant flexible fabric adhered to an interior of the pouch, the lining fabric non-reactive with both the material of the pouch and of the article of clothing.

Description:
REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION 
       [0001]    This application claims the benefit under 35 USC 119(e) of provisional patent Application Ser. No. 62/032,198, filed Aug. 1, 2014, which is incorporated by reference in its entirety. 
     
    
     BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
       [0002]    A. Area of Invention 
         [0003]    The area of invention relates to a system for storage within a reduced volume of an article of wrinkle resistant clothing. 
         [0004]    B. Prior Art 
         [0005]    With the advent of new materials of which fabrics may be made, the potential has arisen for a system for the storage of an article of clothing, such as a dress, having substantial properties of compressibility and resistance to wrinkles, even after storage in a compressed state over an extended period of time. 
         [0006]    The interest in such a system providing for the possibility of long term storage without damage to the article of clothing, or to its appearance, arises from several quarters. Firstly among these is the obvious convenience of storage of a dress or other garment in a small space, for example, less than 750 cubic centimeters and an even smaller one if the article of clothing is itself smaller in volume to begin with. Common occasions for the use of such a system occur when a woman&#39;s social agenda unexpectedly changes from a business to a social or evening environment or, on occasion, where some form of damage occurs to whatever clothing or outfit she has begun the business part of her day with. For example, should one&#39;s dress be torn, stained, or soaked in moisture due to rain or other factors, the present system, preferably having a weight of no more than about 200 to about 300 grams (about 9 ounces) and a volume of no more than 5×10×15 centimeters, can easily fit into one&#39;s handbag, a drawer of a desk at work, or the glove compartment of an automobile. With respect to travel, the risk and potential trauma of loss of one&#39;s luggage, even if for a limited period of time, can be reduced if one is able to carry within one&#39;s handbag in an or onboard travel suitcase one or more systems of the present type capable of carrying a staple article of clothing. 
         [0007]    The design of such a system is not a simple matter of folding a nylon, nylon-SPANDEX or Lycra-like garment into a small plastic pouch. Rather, there are many factors which must be considered in the development of such a system, particularly where air travel is a consideration and system of the present type is checked as luggage or when the garment contained in the pouch of the system is stored within an automobile in which high temperatures can be reached. 
         [0008]    In summary, the factors which must be considered in the design and development of a system of the present nature include the following: 
         [0009]    1. Potential polymeric and other interactions between the material of the storage pouch and the material of the stored garment under temperatures in excess of 100 degrees F. 
         [0010]    2. The effect of extreme cold upon the properties of the pouch and stored garment. 
         [0011]    3. The effect of moisture on the system. 
         [0012]    4. The manner of closure of an opening of the pouch through which the garment to be stored is placed. 
         [0013]    5. The geometry of the pouch. 
         [0014]    6. Pressures and impacts to which the system may become subject. 
         [0015]    7. Flexibility of the pouch. 
         [0016]    8. The method of assembling the pouch. 
         [0017]    To the knowledge of the within inventor, systems for compressive storage of particular garments of clothing intended for emergency use and the like, in the manner set forth herein, are not known in the art. 
       SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
       [0018]    A system for storage of a staple article of clothing, intended for emergency use, includes a pouch formed of a flexible waterproof, substantially tear-resistant material such as a polyester having a volume in a range of about 400 to 1,200 cubic centimeters. The pouch includes a zipper for selectably opening and closing of an elongate opening thereof, and a weight of about 50 grams. Selective interior surfaces of the pouch may be strengthened through the use of one or more pressure and heat-resistant panels proportioned for insertion within said pouch along one or more major surfaces of the geometry thereof or, use of a moisture-protective and fire retardant lining. The system further includes an article of clothing having a weight in the range of 200-300 grams comprising a wrinkle-resistant polymeric fabric such as a nylon-SPANDEX weave, capable of selectable folding and compression into said volume of the pouch. The inherent strength of the pouch enables it to secure a garment of clothing about five times its weight. Any one or more of various pressure and heat-resistant materials may act as insulators of which in one embodiment, said panels are formed, such that the garment stored therewithin is essentially protected from the effects of external moisture, heat, cold, impact, and potential interaction with the polymer materials of which the stored garment and the pouch are formed. Alternatively, a suitable liner, as above noted, may be used. 
         [0019]    It is an object of the invention to provide a protective system for the storage of staple articles of clothing in a compressed space for an extended period of time. 
         [0020]    It is another object to provide a system of the above type in which the stored article, when unpacked, will readily return to its original condition. 
         [0021]    It is a further object to provide a system of the above type that will protect the article of clothing from conditions of heat, cold, moisture, physical impact and polymeric interaction with the pouch of the system. 
         [0022]    The above any yet other objects and advantages of the present system will become apparent from the hereinafter set forth Brief Description of the Drawings, Detailed Description of the Invention, and Claims appended herewith. 
     
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
         [0023]      FIG. 1  is a perspective view of a first embodiment reflective of the present system with the interior panels thereof shown in phantom. 
           [0024]      FIG. 2  is an external view of the embodiment of  FIG. 1 . 
           [0025]      FIG. 3  is a front elevational view of a second embodiment which includes a handle and showing the interior panels thereof in phantom. 
           [0026]      FIG. 4  is a top view of the pouch of  FIG. 3  showing an opened zipper and the interior thereof. 
       
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION 
       [0027]    The above set forth objects and purposes of the present invention have, in the first instance, been made possible by the advent of elastomeric wrinkle-resistant fabrics in the nature of SPANDEX, which is referred to by various trademarks in various countries, these including the marks LYCRA, ELASTANE, ACEPORA, CREORA, INVIYA, ROICA, DORLASTAN, LINEL, and ESPA. However, regardless of trademark, SPANDEX is a recognized product of DuPont and, chemically, is a polyurethane-polyurea co-polymer. As the term SPANDEX suggests, it is an anagram for the word “expand” and has enjoyed popularity in many types of skin-tight and essentially skin-type garments since its commercialization over the last 30 years. Generally, the list of apparel and other articles which have been made possible through the use of SPANDEX include the following: 
         [0028]    Active wear including athletic, aerobic and exercise apparel. 
         [0029]    Bra straps and other bra components. 
         [0030]    Competitive swimwear, cycling jerseys and shorts. 
         [0031]    Dance and ballet clothing, 
         [0032]    gloves, including gloves used by golfers, 
         [0033]    Hosiery and leggings. 
         [0034]    Ski pants, skin tight jeans, slacks, 
         [0035]    Full dresses and miniskirts. 
         [0036]    It is estimated that by 2010, 80% of clothing sold in the United States contained some quantity of SPANDEX. However, in the context of the present invention, the interest is in articles of clothing that would be of a particular value in an emergent situation where the user finds oneself in a situation where one&#39;s regular clothing has become damaged, rendered unusable or has been lost completely as in a loss-of-luggage situation during air travel. SPANDEX is often woven in combination with other synthetic polymers to form many fabrics used in women&#39;s clothing. 
         [0037]    The use or application in the contemplated context of a SPANDEX or Lycra-like material lies in its wrinkle-resistant property and, as well, its absence of memory of whatever manner or extent to which it may have been compressed during storage, regardless of duration. SPANDEX/Lycra materials of this type have enjoyed success in the market primarily based upon their significant strength, elasticity and, as noted, ability to return to their original shape after stretching. As well, SPANDEX will dry more quickly than other fabrics. In scientific terms, the elasticity and strength of SPANDEX has been determined to be that of a 600% elongation before rupture of the fibers thereof. Where desired, when woven it may be mixed with fibers of cotton, polyester or nylon to simulate the look or feel of such other fibers. Generally, the use of SPANDEX is rare in men&#39;s clothing, but common in women&#39;s. 
         [0038]    In a further embodiment of the invention, a fabric consisting of 90% nylon and 10% SPANDEX has been found to possess sufficient properties of elasticity and durability for use as the emergency garment in the present system. 
         [0039]    In terms of an emergency garment that is preferable for use by women, the so-called “little black dress” has been a staple of fashion for almost a century, although the materials and styles thereof have changed over time. As such, an obvious selection of the type of garment to be incorporated into the system of the instant invention would be that of a fashionable black dress and, of course, any other nylon-SPANDEX garment that the user may deem necessary for potential emergency use., e.g., undergarments. 
         [0040]    It is been found that, if properly folded, a “little black dress” of Lycra or a blend of nylon and SPANDEX wearable by a woman of normal size and weight can fit within a pouch volume of about 750 cubic centimeters and will weigh in a range of about 200 to about 300 grams or about 9 ounces. That is, such a volume may be defined by dimensions of about 5 centimeters by 10 centimeters by 15 centimeters, equating to a pouch density of 0.33 gm per square centimeter. In practicality, these dimensions yield a small rectangular pouch  10  or  110  (see  FIGS. 1 to 4 ), each having an edge  12  into which the folded, compressed garment may be inserted and then sealed through the use of any of a number of closure means  14  but preferable a zipper with a coated metal pull. Other such means include, VELCRO, straps or snaps. 
         [0041]    It is to be understood that said volume is not absolute and may readily encompass a range of about 400 to 1000 cubic centimeters. 
         [0042]    However, to accomplish the objects of the invention as enumerated above, it is imperative that the pouch within which the garment is stored possess certain properties, namely, that it be flexible, waterproof, substantially tear-resistant and possess a high tensile strength. Clearly, the storage function of the pouch must provide appropriate protection to the relatively sensitive garment material from extremes of temperature, moisture, and pressures to which the pouch may be exposed particularly during various travel conditions. It has been found that there exist various materials suitable for such an application, one of which is the DuPont product known TYVEK. TYVEK is made of fine polyethylene fibers which offer advantageous properties of paper, film polyester, and of particular fabrics. This range of properties, which cannot be found in most other available fabrics, renders TYVEK a soft structure fabric which is lightweight, yet strong, vapor permeable, and water, chemical, puncture, tear and abrasion resistant. TYVEK is smooth to the touch, does not shrink, is typically opaque and, as well, meets all requirements of the U.S. Flammable Fabrics Act that apply to wearing apparel. In other words, TYVEK, and other products in its category, are breathable as well as water resistant, durable, flexible, lightweight and tear-resistant. 
         [0043]    Further, present-day polyesters, such as polyethylene terephthalates (PET), that are not woven can be provided with a reflective outer surface and smooth inner surface. Therefore, the pouch may be formed entirely of polyester at a weight of about 50 to about 60 grams. Further, the inherent strength of the fabric of the pouch permits it to contain an article of clothing of over five times its weight. 
         [0044]    Graphics of whatever type may also be readily printed upon TYVEX or polyester and it, as well, is stitchable. It has been found that a pouch suitable for the present application can be as light as 50 grams and is flexible to a considerable degree. Various forms of polyethylene woven fiber may also be employed in TYVEX-like fabrics. DuPont itself has competitors such as DuraFAB which produce an extensive line of tear-resistant flexible fabrics. Fabrics of this type are often referred to PTSE or polytetrafluroethyle fabrics and maintain their properties over a wide range of temperatures from minus 100 degrees Farenheit to plus 500 degrees Fahrenheit. Non-woven polyester, often referenced to as PET, and can also resist high temperatures. 
         [0045]    An important consideration in present system is that the polyethylene or other polymeric or material of which the fabric-containing pouch is formed does not chemically react with the polyurethane-polyurea polymer of the stored garment, particularly under conditions of moisture, heat or pressure. The inventor has resolved this issue through the use of panels  16 , preferably upon both sides of opposing major faces  18  of the pouch  10  by providing the faces with thin flat impact resistant internal elements. Such panels are important not only to prevent interaction between the respective polymers of the pouch and the stored garment under conditions of moisture but, as well, to provide to the garment thermal insulation as well as protection from external pressures, forces and impact. As such, the panels may have a thickness of about 2 to about 5 millimeters thus providing a high degree of protection to the stored garment. The insulative panels  16  may be selected from a group consisting essentially of neoprene, silicone, high density closed cell foams, expanded polystyrene foams, high impact polystyrene, high impact resistant corrugated cardboard treated with a flame retardant, and combinations of these materials. 
         [0046]    However, in lieu of such panels, the PET polyester of the pouch is preferably provided with an interior lining of a thin silk-like material that is chemically inert relative to PET and PTSE, such as a carbon fiber fabric, and is moisture and heat resistant. 
         [0047]    The opening or closure of a suitable edge of the pouch may be accomplished through the use of a zipper, VELCRO flaps or snaps. See  FIGS. 1 and 3  in which the use of a zipper is shown. 
         [0048]    While there has been shown and described above the preferred embodiment of the instant invention it is to be appreciated that the invention may be embodied otherwise than is herein specifically shown and described and that, within said embodiment, certain changes may be made in the form and arrangement of the parts without departing from the underlying ideas or principles of this invention as set forth in the Claims appended herewith.