Apparatus with removable holder for displaying pictures and other materials on a garment

Abstract

An apparatus and method are disclosed for the display on a T-shirt, tote bag, hat, or other garment of essentially flat, decorative and/or informational materials in a removable, transparent pouch. The pouch is attached to the garment by hook-and-loop, snaps, etc, and in preferred embodiments it is sized to accept one or more pictures or printed documents with standard sizes. In some embodiments, the pouch can contain a stack of items, so that the displayed item can be changed by reordering the stack. Other embodiments include a flap or other seal to retain items and/or protect them from water, and some embodiments hold the pouch perimeter close to the garment. Other embodiments allow dry erase marking on the pouch, and still others allow washing of the garment after pouch removal without harming or loosening the hook-and-loop etc. A plurality of pouches can be included that can be preloaded and exchanged.

Description

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

The invention generally relates to displaying decorative and informational pictures and other materials on garments, and more specifically to apparatus for attaching decorative and informational pictures and other materials to a garment for display.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

The display of decorative and/or informational materials on clothing and fashion accessories is a popular and well known practice. Logos, pictures, team names, humorous sayings, names of tourist sites and attractions, and many other informational and/or decorative illustrations are commonly displayed on clothing, tote-bags, book bags, back packs, hats, purses, and such like, herein referred to collectively as “garments,” as a means for individual expression, fashion display, identification with a group, advertising, and such like.

In most cases, the decorative and/or informational materials are permanently attached to the garment or permanently printed on the garment using silk screen, heat transfer, and/or similar methods. This approach is durable, washable, and easy to use, but does not allow the displayed materials to be changed in any way. Individuals are therefore required to purchase and maintain multiple garments if they wish to display different decorative or informational materials under different circumstances or on different occasions. For example, an individual may wish to wear a garment to work or to school that displays humorous sayings and/or illustrations. Since humorous sayings and/or illustrations have their greatest impact upon first observation, the individual may wish to display different sayings or illustrations on different days. However, if the sayings or illustrations are permanently attached to the garment or permanently printed onto the garment, it will be necessary for the individual to possess multiple garments so as to display different sayings and/or illustrations on different days.

Some garments include pouches, pockets, frames, or similar holders that can contain pictures, printed documents, and/or other essentially flat items for display. Some of these holders do not cover the outward facing surfaces of displayed items, while others cover displayed items with a transparent window made from plastic or a similar transparent material. This approach allows display materials to be exchanged, so that a single garment can display different materials on different occasions. However, in most cases exchange of the display materials is somewhat cumbersome and time consuming. Also, in many cases displayed materials can be damaged by exposure to rain and other elements, especially where a transparent window is not included. And when a transparent window is included it can be scratched and otherwise damaged by normal wear and tear, and can also be damaged when the garment is washed.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

An apparatus and method of use thereof are disclosed for visible display on a garment of essentially flat materials that are informational and/or decorative. The apparatus includes an item of clothing such as a T-shirt or other shirt, or a fashion accessory such as a tote-bag, book bag, back pack, hat, purse, and such like, the item of clothing or the fashion accessory being herein referred to as the “garments.” A flexible display pouch is included that is detachably attachable to the garment and is able to contain the essentially flat materials. The flexible display pouch has an inwardly facing side and an outwardly facing side. It is made from plastic and/or other flexible materials, and includes a transparent area on the outwardly facing side that is able to display the essentially flat materials. Attachment mechanisms in preferred embodiments include hook-and-loop, snaps, zippers, and/or other attachment mechanisms, and can be fixed to the garment and to the inwardly facing side of the display pouch by sewing, gluing, and other attachment methods.

In some preferred embodiments, the flexible display pouch is sized so as to accept 8.5 inch by 11 inch and/or 21 cm by 30 cm (i.e. European A4 format) documents. In other preferred embodiments is sized so as to accept contents of other sizes, such as 5 inch by 7 inch. In some preferred embodiments the flexible display pouch includes a seal that can be opened and closed, such as a zip-lock seal or a flap that extends from an edge of the inward facing side and can overlap a corresponding edge of the outward facing side, the seal being able to prevent materials from falling out of the flexible display pouch. In some preferred embodiments the display pouch is able to protect its contents from exposure to water.

In preferred embodiments, the attachment mechanisms are configured so as to maintain the perimeter of the flexible display pouch in close proximity to the garment when the flexible display pouch is attached to the garment. In other preferred embodiments, the garment can be laundered without harm to the attachment mechanism and without degrading the fixing of the attachment mechanism to the garment. In still other preferred embodiments, the transparent area of the outward facing side of the flexible display pouch is compatible with marking by a dry erase marker and with erasure of marks made by a dry erase marker.

As described above, some embodiments of the present invention provide for display of virtually any text and/or picture that can be printed by a computer, for example by pressing the “print screen” button, or reproduced by a photocopier. Other embodiments provide for display of essentially flat items of varying size and shape, such as postcards, snapshots, athletic school “letters,” can also be displayed by preferred embodiments of the invention. In some embodiments a plurality of flexible display pouches is included, allowing for quick exchange of pouches that are pre-loaded with display items. In other preferred embodiments the flexible display pouch is able to contain a stack of documents or other essentially flat items so that the item displayed can be changed simply by changing the order of items in the stack.

The method of use of the present invention includes providing an apparatus as described above, placing the essentially flat materials into the flexible display pouch, aligning the attachment mechanisms on the flexible display pouch and on the garment, and attaching the flexible display pouch to the garment.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is an illustration from the front of a T-shirt embodiment showing the T-shirt and a hook-and-loop attachment mechanism;

FIG. 2A is an illustration from the front of a transparent flexible display pouch showing a sealing flap and a hook-and-loop attachment mechanism;

FIG. 2B is an illustration from the side of the flexible display pouch of FIG. 2A;

FIG. 3 is an illustration from the front of flexible display pouch of FIG. 2A attached to the T-shirt of FIG. 1;

FIG. 4 is an illustration from the front of the flexible display pouch and T-shirt of FIG. 3 with a photograph inserted in the flexible display pouch; and

FIG. 5 is an illustration from the front of the flexible display pouch, T-shirt, and photograph of FIG. 4 where the transparent display area has been written on by a dry erase marker.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

With reference to FIG. 1, the present invention includes a garment, shown in FIG. 1 as a T-shirt 100, with an attachment mechanism 102 fixed to the garment. In the preferred embodiment of FIG. 1, the attachment mechanism is a rectangle formed from one inch wide strips of “home decorating grade” loop material sewn to the T-shirt 100 using polyester thread. In similar embodiments a similar thread material such as nylon or silk thread is used. The rectangle in the embodiment of FIG. 1 is 7.5 inches wide and 10 inches tall (outer dimensions), leaving a one-half-inch margin on all sides as compared to an 8.5 inch by 11 inch sheet of paper. In similar embodiments, the dimensions of the rectangle are selected according to European A4 paper size. In these embodiments, virtually any document and/or picture that can be printed by a computer, for example by pressing the “print screen” button, or reproduced by a photocopier, can be displayed on the garment 100.

In other embodiments, the dimensions are 5 inch by 7 inch or other sizes, and in some preferred embodiments a plurality of documents, for example up to five sheets of 10.0 mil photo paper, or of other essentially flat items can be contained as a stack in the flexible display pouch, such that only the top item on the stack is visible and the item displayed can be changed simply by changing the order of items in the stack.

Other preferred embodiments include different types of garments such as a jacket, pants, a purse, etc, and different types and dimensions of attachment mechanisms, including other grades and sizes of hook-and-loop material sewn or glued to the garment, as well as snaps, zippers, buttons, and such like.

Some preferred embodiments include multiple display pouches that can be pre-loaded with display materials, so that the item displayed can be changed simply by removing one pouch from the garment and attaching another pouch to the garment.

FIG. 2A illustrates a flexible display pouch 200 in a preferred embodiment where the flexible display pouch 200 is made entirely from clear plastic and is similar in size and shape to a “sheet protector” used to protect 8.5 inch by 11 inch sheets of paper. The flexible display pouch 200 has rounded corners and includes an attachment mechanism 202 with type and dimensions similar to the attachment mechanism 102 of FIG. 1, except that strips of hook material are glued to the pouch 200, while strips of loop material are sewn to the T-Shirt 100 of FIG. 1. The flexible display pouch 200 includes a flap 204 that can be folded over the top of the pouch 200 to prevent sheets of paper or other contents in the pouch 200 from falling partly or completely out of the pouch 200. In other preferred embodiments a “zip lock” seal or other closable and openable seal is included.

FIG. 2B presents a side view of the flexible display pouch 200 of FIG. 2A. The pouch 200 includes an outward facing side 206 and in inward side 208. In the embodiment of FIG. 2A and FIG. 2B, the entire pouch 200 is made from transparent material such as poly, while in other preferred embodiments the pouch is made from cloth or other materials. However, in all cases the pouch 200 includes a transparent area on the outward facing side 206 through which contents of the pouch are visible. The flexible display pouch 200 also includes an inward facing side 208, to which an attachment mechanism is fixed. As mentioned above, in this embodiment the attachment mechanism is formed of strips of hook material glued to the pouch, while other embodiments include different types and dimensions of attachment mechanisms, including other grades and sizes of hook-and-loop material sewn or glued to the pouch 200, as well as snaps, buttons, and such like.

FIG. 3 shows a front view of the preferred embodiment of FIG. 1, FIG. 2A and FIG. 2B, with the flexible display pouch 200 attached to the garment 100 and the sealing flap 204 open, but with no contents in the display pouch 200. FIG. 4 shows the same embodiment with a photograph 400 inserted in the flexible display pouch 200 and the sealing flap 204 closed. FIG. 5 shows the same embodiment, with the added feature that the flexible display pouch is compatible with marking by a dry erase marker and with erasure of marks made by a dry erase marker. Writing 500 made by a dry erase marker on the flexible display pouch can be seen in the figure.

Other modifications and implementations will occur to those skilled in the art without departing from the spirit and the scope of the invention as claimed. Accordingly, the above description is not intended to limit the invention except as indicated in the following claims.

Claims

1. An apparatus for visible display on a garment of essentially flat display materials, the apparatus comprising:

a garment;

a flexible display pouch able to contain the essentially flat materials, the flexible display pouch including an outward facing side and an inward facing side, the outward facing side including a transparent area through which contents of the flexible display pouch can be observed;

a first attachment mechanism fixed to the inward facing side of the flexible display pouch; and

a second attachment mechanism fixed to the garment and able to be aligned with and removably attached to the first attachment mechanism, thereby attaching the flexible display pouch to the garment.

2. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the flexible display pouch is sized so as to conveniently accept display items with standard dimensions, the standard dimensions being at least one of 8.5 inches by 11 inches, 21 centimeters by 30 centimeters, 5 inches by 7 inches, 4 inches by 6 inches, 3 inches by 5 inches, and other standard dimensions applicable to documents, photographs and other display items.

3. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the flexible display pouch includes a closable, openable seal that is able to prevent materials from falling out of the flexible display pouch.

4. The apparatus of claim 3, wherein the closable, openable seal is a flap that extends from an edge of the inward facing side of the flexible display pouch and is able to overlap a corresponding edge of the outward facing side of the flexible display pouch.

5. The apparatus of claim 3, wherein the closable, openable seal is a zip lock seal that seals an edge of the inward facing side of the flexible display pouch to a corresponding edge of the outward facing side of the flexible display pouch.

6. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the flexible display pouch is able to protect contents inside the flexible display pouch from exposure to water.

7. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein one of the first attachment mechanism and the second attachment mechanism includes hook material and the other of the first attachment mechanism and the second attachment mechanism includes loop material, the hook material and the loop material being configured so as to allow the first attachment mechanism to attach to the second attachment mechanism at least partly by hook-and-loop attachment.

8. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein one of the first attachment mechanism and the second attachment mechanism include at least one of zippers, snaps, buttons, and other attachment mechanisms.

9. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the garment is a shirt.

10. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the garment is a T-shirt.

11. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the first attachment mechanism is fixed to the inward facing side of the flexible display pouch by at least one of sewing and gluing.

12. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the second attachment mechanism is fixed to the garment by at least one of sewing and gluing.

13. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the first attachment mechanism and the second attachment mechanism are configured so as to maintain the perimeter of the flexible display pouch in close proximity to the garment when the flexible display pouch is attached to the garment.

14. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the second attachment mechanism can be laundered together with the garment without damage to the second attachment mechanism and without degradation of the fixing of the second attachment mechanism to the garment.

15. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the flexible display pouch is made from flexible plastic.

16. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the flexible display pouch is able to contain a plurality of documents printed on photographic printing paper.

17. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the transparent area of the outward facing side of the flexible display pouch is compatible with marking by a dry erase marker and with erasure of marks made by a dry erase marker.

18. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein a plurality of flexible display pouches is included that can be pre-loaded with essentially flat materials, so that a change in the materials displayed can be made simply by removing one of the flexible display pouches from the garment and attaching another of the flexible display pouches to the garment.

19. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the flexible display pouch is able to contain a plurality of essentially flat materials arranged essentially in a stack, such that only the item nearest to the outward facing side of the flexible display pouch is visible, and such that the item displayed can be changed by changing the order of items in the stack.

20. A method for visible display on a garment of essentially flat display materials, the method comprising:

providing a garment, a flexible display pouch able to contain the essentially flat materials, the flexible display pouch including an outward facing side and an inward facing side, the outward facing side including a transparent area through which contents of the flexible display pouch can be observed, a first attachment mechanism fixed to the inward facing side of the flexible display pouch, and a second attachment mechanism fixed to the garment and able to be aligned with and removably attached to the first attachment mechanism, thereby attaching the flexible display pouch to the garment;

aligning the first attachment mechanism with the second attachment mechanism;

attaching the first attachment mechanism to the second attachment mechanism, thereby attaching the flexible display pouch to the garment; and

placing the essentially flat materials into the flexible display pouch, this action being taken at least one of before completing the previous two actions and after completing the previous two actions.