Patent ID: 8429763

Claim:
A compressible and storable item of apparel, comprising: at least one sheet of flexible material defining the item of apparel; a generally circular channel in the sheet of flexible material, the generally circular channel defining an area substantially centered on a panel of the item of apparel and having an exterior channel opening, the generally circular channel having a size in defined proportion to one or more dimensions of the item of apparel; and a flexible, elongate member positioned within the generally circular channel and extending through substantially the entirety of the circumference of the channel such that at least an exposed portion of the elongate member protrudes from the opening of the channel; wherein the generally circular channel is proportioned and arranged such that if the item of apparel is folded inwardly toward the area defined by the generally circular channel with the generally circular channel facing outwardly and the exposed portion of the flexible, elongate member is pulled, the area defined by the generally circular channel is drawn out of plane as the generally circular channel contracts, causing the item of apparel to be releasably compressed within an enclosure having the area defined by the generally circular channel as an outer surface.