Apparatus for folding and storing articles of clothing

Abstract

An apparatus for folding and storing articles of clothing is provided, and the apparatus comprises a relatively flat sheet having opposing ends, a topside and a bottomside. The apparatus has at least one aperture that serves as a handle on one end and an extended portion on the opposing end. The extended portion is bendable from about 0 degrees to about 90 degrees, and the extended portion serves as a support for the articles of clothing when the articles are folded and stacked atop the topside surface of the sheet.

Description

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

1. Field of the Invention

This invention relates to apparatus for folding and storing articles of clothing, the apparatus comprises a relatively flat sheet having opposing ends, a topside and a bottomside. The apparatus has at least one aperture that serves as a handle on one end and an extended portion on the opposing end. The extended portion is bendable from about 0 degrees to about 90 degrees, and the extended portion serves as a support for the articles of clothing when the articles are folded and stacked atop the topside surface of the sheet.

2. Description of the Related Art

There are various devices used for folding articles of clothing such as the device shown in U.S. Pat. No. 3,323,151. There are also various products that are used to storing and dividing articles of clothing such as the products shown in U.S. Pat. Nos. 1,657,551; 2,169,552; and 4,065,021. There are numerous apparati designed to store and stack articles of clothing such as the U.S. Pat. Nos. D501,341; D502,031 and D505,809.

The present invention relates to a device or apparatus that allows its user to fold, stack, store and/or divide articles of clothing. The device and apparatus of the present invention provides for a system for folding, stacking and storing a plurality of articles of clothing and allows for a system that allows a user to remove one of the articles of clothing in the stacked pile to be removed without disturbing the other articles of clothing in the pile.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

In one embodiment, the present invention provides for an apparatus for folding and storing articles of clothing, the apparatus comprises: a relatively flat sheet having opposing ends, a topside and a bottomside, the apparatus has at least one aperture that serves as a handle on one end and an extended portion on the opposing end, the extended portion is bendable from about 0 degrees to about 90 degrees, the extended portion serves as a support for the articles of clothing when the articles are folded and stacked atop said topside surface of the sheet.

In another embodiment, the apparatus further comprises a plurality of protrusions, the protrusions are designed to contact the articles of clothing when stacked and folded on the sheet. In still another embodiment, at least a portion of the protrusions are attached to the sheet.

In yet another embodiment, the plurality of the protrusions are attached to the topside of the sheet. In still yet another embodiment, the plurality of the protrusions are attached to the bottomside of the sheet. In a further embodiment, the apparatus further comprises a frontal extension and the aperture is situated within the frontal extension. In another further embodiment, the end with said aperture is arc shaped. In yet a further embodiment, the aperture is grip-shaped. In still a further embodiment, the protrusions function as grips to the article of clothing folding and situated upon the sheet.

In still yet a further embodiment, the sheet is capable of holding at least three folded and stacked articles of clothing and the user can pull out the second article of clothing between the first article which is situated atop the sheet and the third article without disturbing the first and third article of clothing, and the protrusions are designed to grip and secure the first article of clothing when user is pulling out the second article of clothing.

In another embodiment, the extended portion is bendable to a position relatively perpendicular to the sheet during a use stage and bendable to a position relatively parallel to the sheet during a stowage stage.

In still another embodiment, the present invention provides for an apparatus for folding and storing articles of clothing, and the apparatus comprising: a relatively flat sheet having a front end and a back end, a topside and a bottomside, the apparatus having at least one aperture that serves as a handle on the front end and an extended portion on the back end, the extended portion being bendable from about 0 degrees to about 90 degrees, the extended portion being a cut away and having a dimension shorter than the width of the sheet, and the extended portion serves as a support for the articles of clothing when the articles are folded and stacked atop the topside surface of the sheet.

In yet another embodiment, the apparatus further comprises a plurality of protrusions, and the protrusion are designed to contact the articles of clothing when stacked and folded on the sheet, and at least a portion of the protrusions being attached to the sheet. In still another embodiment, the plurality of the protrusions are attached to the topside of the sheet. In still yet another embodiment, the protrusions function as grips to the article of clothing folding and situated upon the sheet.

In a further embodiment, the sheet is capable of holding at least three folded and stacked articles of clothing and the user can pull out the second article of clothing between the first article which is situated atop said sheet and the third article without disturbing the first and third article of clothing, said protrusions designed to grip and secure the first article of clothing when user is pulling out the second article of clothing.

In another further embodiment, the extended portion is bendable to a position relatively perpendicular to the sheet during a use stage and bendable to a position relatively parallel to the sheet during a stowage stage.

In yet a further embodiment, the front end with the aperture is grip-shaped. In still a further embodiment, the extended portion has four sides, and a first side is connected to the sheet, at least a portion of two of the sides situated adjacent to the first side are relatively perpendicular to the sheet during a usage stage and relatively parallel to the sheet during a non-use stage.

In another embodiment, the present invention relates to an apparatus for folding and storing articles of clothing, and the apparatus comprises: a relatively flat sheet having a front end and a back end, a topside and a bottomside, the apparatus having at least one aperture that serves as a handle on the front end and an adjustable clothing support and separator device, and the device comprises an elongated portion having opposing ends and at least one adjustable separator, a first end of the elongated portion being connected to the back end of sheet, and the elongated portion serves as a support for the articles of clothing when the articles are folded and stacked atop the topside surface of the sheet.

In yet another embodiment, the apparatus further comprises a plurality of protrusions, and the protrusions are designed to contact the articles of clothing when stacked and folded on the sheet, and at least a portion of the protrusions are attached to the sheet. In still another embodiment, the elongated portion of the support and separator device is relatively perpendicular to the sheet and the separator are relatively perpendicular to the elongated portion and relatively parallel to the sheet during a use stage. In still yet another embodiment, the separator is designed to support and separate the articles of clothing situated atop the sheet and the device further comprises a locking mechanism for securing the separator to a certain position on the elongated portion.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

The accompanying drawings are included to provide a further understanding of the present invention. These drawings are incorporated in and constitute a part of this specification, illustrate one or more embodiments of the present invention, and together with the description, serve to explain the principles of the present invention.

FIG. 1 is a perspective view of one of the embodiments of the apparatus of the present invention;

FIG. 2 is a side view of FIG. 1 with three articles of clothing in use;

FIG. 3 is a perspective view of another embodiment of the invention;

FIG. 4 is a side view of FIG. 3 with the extended portion in use with the articles of clothing;

FIG. 5 is a perspective view of another embodiment of the present invention; and

FIG. 6 is a side view of FIG. 5 in use with articles of clothing.

Among those benefits and improvements that have been disclosed, other objects and advantages of this invention will become apparent from the following description taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings. The drawings constitute a part of this specification and include exemplary embodiments of the present invention and illustrate various objects and features thereof.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

As required, detailed embodiments of the present invention are disclosed herein; however, it is to be understood that the disclosed embodiments are merely exemplary of the invention that may be embodied in various forms. The figures are not necessary to scale, some features may be exaggerated to show details of particular components. Therefore, specific structural and functional details disclosed herein are not to be interpreted as limiting, but merely as a basis for the claims and as a representative basis for teaching one skilled in the art to variously employ the present invention.

Referring now to FIGS. 1-2, the present invention provides for an apparatus 1 for folding and storing articles of clothing, the apparatus 1 comprises: a relatively flat sheet 10 having opposing ends, 10a and 10b respectively, a topside 11 and a bottomside 12. The apparatus 1 has at least one aperture 13 that serves as a handle on one end 10a and an extended portion 14 on the opposing end 10b. The extended portion 14 is bendable from about 0 degrees to about 90 degrees and the extended portion 14 serves as a support for the articles of clothing 17, 18 and 19 respectively, when the articles are folded and stacked atop said topside surface 11 of the sheet 10.

The apparatus 1 further comprises a plurality of protrusions 15. The protrusions 15 are designed to contact the article of clothing 17 when stacked and folded on the sheet. In another embodiment, at least a portion of the protrusions 15 are attached to the sheet 10.

In yet another embodiment, the plurality of the protrusions 15 are attached to the topside 11 of the sheet 10. In still yet another embodiment, the plurality of the protrusions 15 are attached to the bottomside 12 of the sheet 10 (not shown). In a further embodiment, the apparatus 1 further comprises a frontal extension 16 and the aperture 13 is situated within the frontal extension 16. In another further embodiment, the front end 10a with the aperture 13 is arc shaped. In yet a further embodiment, the aperture 13 is grip-shaped (see FIG. 4). In still a further embodiment, the protrusions 15 function as grips to the article of clothing folding and situated upon the sheet 10.

In still yet a further embodiment, the sheet 10 is capable of holding at least three folded and stacked articles of clothing 17, 18 and 19 and the user can pull out the second article of clothing 18 between the first article 17 which is situated atop the sheet 10 and the third article 19 without disturbing the first and third article of clothing 17 and 19, and the protrusions 15 are designed to grip and secure the first article of clothing 17 when user is pulling out the second article of clothing 18.

In another embodiment, the extended portion 14 is bendable to a position relatively perpendicular to the sheet 10 during a use stage and bendable to a position relatively parallel to the sheet 10 during a stowage stage.

Referring now to FIGS. 3-4, the present invention provides for an apparatus 2 for folding and storing articles of clothing, and the apparatus 2 comprising: a relatively flat sheet 20 having a front end 20a and a back end 20b, a topside 21 and a bottomside 22. The apparatus 2 has at least one aperture 23 that serves as a handle on the front end 20a and an extended portion 24 on the back end 10b. The extended portion 24 is bendable from about 0 degrees to about 90 degrees, and the extended portion 24 is a cut away and having a dimension shorter than the width of the sheet, and the extended portion 24 serves as a support for the articles of clothing 27, 28 and 29 respectively, when the articles are folded and stacked atop the topside 21 surface of the sheet 20.

The apparatus 2 further comprises a plurality of protrusions 25, and the protrusions 25 are designed to contact the articles of clothing when stacked and folded on the sheet 20, and at least a portion of the protrusions 25 are attached to the sheet 20. In still another embodiment, the plurality of the protrusions 25 are attached to the topside 21 of the sheet 20. In still yet another embodiment, the protrusions 25 function as grips to the article of clothing folding and situated upon the sheet 20.

In a further embodiment, the sheet 20 is capable of holding at least three folded and stacked articles of clothing 27, 28 and 29 respectively, and the user can pull out the second article of clothing 28 between the first article 27 which is situated atop the sheet 20 and the third article 29 without disturbing the first and third article of clothing 27 and 29. The protrusions 25 are designed to grip and secure the first article of clothing 27 when user is pulling out the second article of clothing 28.

In another further embodiment, the extended portion 24 is bendable to a position relatively perpendicular to the sheet 20 during a use stage and bendable to a position relatively parallel to the sheet 20 during a stowage stage.

In yet a further embodiment, the front end 26 with the aperture is grip-shaped. In still a further embodiment, the extended portion 24 has four sides, and a first side is connected to the sheet 20, at least a portion of two of the sides situated adjacent to the first side are relatively perpendicular to the sheet 20 during a usage stage and relatively parallel to the sheet 20 during a non-use stage.

Referring now to FIGS. 5-6, the present invention provides for an apparatus 3 for folding and storing articles of clothing. The apparatus 3 comprises: a relatively flat sheet 30 having a front end 30a and a back end 30b, a topside 31 and a bottomside 32. The apparatus 3 having at least one aperture 33 that serves as a handle on the front end 36 and an adjustable clothing support and separator device 40.

The device 40 comprises an elongated portion 41 having opposing ends 41a and 41b respectively, and at least one adjustable separator 42. The first end 41a of the elongated portion 41 is connected to the back end 30b of sheet 30, and the elongated portion 42 serves as a support for the articles of clothing 37, 38 and 39 respectively when the articles are folded and stacked atop the topside 31 surface of the sheet 30.

In yet another embodiment, the apparatus 3 further comprises a plurality of protrusions 35, and the protrusions 35 are designed to contact the articles of clothing when stacked and folded on the sheet 30, and at least a portion of the protrusions 35 are attached to the sheet 30. In still another embodiment, the elongated portion 41 of the support and separator device 42 is relatively perpendicular to the sheet 30 and the separator 42 are relatively perpendicular to the elongated portion 41 and relatively parallel to the sheet 30 during a use stage. In still yet another embodiment, the separator 42 is designed to support and separate the articles of clothing situated atop the sheet 30 and the device 3 further comprises a locking mechanism (not shown) for securing the separator 42 to a certain position on the elongated portion 41 of the device 40.

Numerous modifications and variations of the present invention are possible in light of the above teachings. It is therefore to be understood that within the scope of the attendant claims attached hereto, this invention may be practiced otherwise than as specifically disclosed herein.

Claims

1. An apparatus for folding and storing articles of clothing, said apparatus comprising: a relatively flat sheet having opposing ends, a topside and a bottomside, said apparatus having at least one aperture that serves as a handle on one end and an extended portion on said opposing end, said extended portion being bendable from about 0 degrees to about 90 degrees, said extended portion serves as a support for the articles of clothing when the articles are folded and stacked atop said topside surface of said sheet.

2. The apparatus of claim 1 further comprises a plurality of protrusions, said protrusions are designed to contact the articles of clothing when stacked and folded on said sheet, at least a portion of said protrusions being attached to said sheet.

3. The apparatus of claim 2 wherein said plurality of said protrusions are attached to said topside of said sheet.

4. The apparatus of claim 2 wherein said plurality of said protrusions are attached to said bottomside of said sheet.

5. The apparatus of claim 1 further comprising a frontal extension, said aperture being situated within said frontal extension.

6. The apparatus of claim 1 wherein said end with said aperture is arc shaped.

7. The apparatus of claim 1 wherein said aperture is grip-shaped.

8. The apparatus of claim 2 wherein said protrusions function as grips to the article of clothing folding and situated upon said sheet.

9. The apparatus of claim 8 wherein said sheet is capable of holding at least three folded and stacked articles of clothing and the user can pull out the second article of clothing between the first article which is situated atop said sheet and the third article without disturbing the first and third article of clothing, said protrusions designed to grip and secure the first article of clothing when user is pulling out the second article of clothing.

10. The apparatus of claim 1 wherein said extended portion is bendable to a position relatively perpendicular to said sheet during a use stage and bendable to a position relatively parallel to said sheet during a stowage stage.

11. An apparatus for folding and storing articles of clothing, said apparatus comprising: a relatively flat sheet having a front end and a back end, a topside and a bottomside, said apparatus having at least one aperture that serves as a handle on said front end and an extended portion on said back end, said extended portion being bendable from about 0 degrees to about 90 degrees, said extended portion being a cut away and having a dimension shorter than the width of said sheet, said extended portion serves as a support for the articles of clothing when the articles are folded and stacked atop said topside surface of said sheet.

12. The apparatus of claim 11 further comprises a plurality of protrusions, said protrusions are designed to contact the articles of clothing when stacked and folded on said sheet, at least a portion of said protrusions being attached to said sheet.

13. The apparatus of claim 12 wherein said plurality of said protrusions are attached to said topside of said sheet.

14. The apparatus of claim 12 wherein said protrusions function as grips to the article of clothing folding and situated upon said sheet.

15. The apparatus of claim 14 wherein said sheet is capable of holding at least three folded and stacked articles of clothing and the user can pull out the second article of clothing between the first article which is situated atop said sheet and the third article without disturbing the first and third article of clothing, said protrusions designed to grip and secure the first article of clothing when user is pulling out the second article of clothing.

16. The apparatus of claim 11 wherein said extended portion has four sides, a first side is connected to said sheet, at least a portion of two of said sides situated adjacent to said first side are relatively perpendicular to said sheet during a usage stage and relatively parallel to said sheet during a non-use stage.

17. An apparatus for folding and storing articles of clothing, said apparatus comprising: a relatively flat sheet having a front end and a back end, a topside and a bottomside, said apparatus having at least one aperture that serves as a handle on said front end and an adjustable clothing support and separator device, said device comprises an elongated portion having opposing ends and at least one adjustable separator, a first end of said elongated portion being connected to said back end of sheet, said elongated portion serves as a support for the articles of clothing when the articles are folded and stacked atop said topside surface of said sheet.

18. The apparatus of claim 17 further comprises a plurality of protrusions, said protrusion are designed to contact the articles of clothing when stacked and folded on said sheet, at least a portion of said protrusions being attached to said sheet.

19. The apparatus of claim 17 wherein said elongated portion of said support and separator device is relatively perpendicular to said sheet and said separator being relatively perpendicular to said elongated portion and relatively parallel to said sheet during a use stage.

20. The apparatus of claim 17 wherein said separator is designed to support and separate the articles of clothing situated atop said sheet and said device further comprises a locking mechanism for securing said separator to a certain position on said elongated portion.