Woven Textile Organizer For Bags

Abstract

Woven textile structures constructed using dual-loom technology are provided. Filaments are woven in such a way as to create a first set of different discrete layers of the same fabric in some regions of the textile and a second set of discrete layers of the same fabric at other regions of the same textile. The different layers are used to construct various textile structures such as a woven bag with woven channels containing at least one drawstring.

Description

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

This application, having attorney docket number NIKE.174095, claims the benefit of U.S. Provisional Application No. 61/529,049, filed Aug. 30, 2011, entitled “Woven Textile Apparel and Accessories;” and is related by subject matter to the following concurrently filed U.S. patent applications: U.S. patent application Ser. No. ______, having attorney docket number NIKE.174097, entitled “Woven Textile Bag;” U.S. patent application Ser. No. ______, having attorney docket number NIKE.174096, entitled “Woven Textile Shoes” and U.S. patent application Ser. No. ______, having attorney docket number NIKE.174098. The entirety of the aforementioned applications are incorporated by reference herein.

STATEMENT REGARDING FEDERALLY SPONSORED RESEARCH OR DEVELOPMENT

Not applicable.

TECHNICAL FIELDS

The present invention relates to woven textile accessories. More specifically, the present invention relates to a woven bag with one or more woven channels containing a drawstring.

BACKGROUND

Traditionally, apparel and accessories such as bags, shoes, and jackets have been constructed by stitching or affixing together different panels of textile materials. With heavy or repetitive use, the textile panels can rip or separate along the affixed seams which limit the lifespan of these structures. As well, this mode of construction is typically labor-intensive because the different panels of textile materials need to be cut and sewn together.

SUMMARY

This Summary is provided to introduce a selection of concepts in a simplified form that are further described below in the Detailed Description. This Summary is not intended to identify key features or essential features of the claimed subject matter, nor is it intended to be used as an aid in determining the scope of the claimed subject matter. The present invention is defined by the claims.

At a high level, the present invention is directed toward constructing a variety of textile structures from a multi-layer woven fabric using dual-loom technology. The dual-loom technology is used to weave filaments in such a way as to create a first set of different discrete layers of the same fabric in some regions of a textile and a second set of different discrete layers of the same fabric at other regions of the same textile. The different layers may be used to construct various textile structures, such as a compartmentalized bag pocket organizer insert, or a woven bag with compartmentalized pockets integrally woven from the same filaments. Because the layers that define the different textile structures are continuously woven from the same filaments, there is minimal need to sew different pieces of material together to create the structure. The result is a durable woven textile structure that resists heavy, repetitive use better than standard stitched structures. This mode of manufacturing can also significantly reduce manufacturing costs because it is less labor intensive.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

Examples are described in detail below with reference to the attached drawing figures, wherein:

FIG. 1 depicts a bag with an pocket organizer insert in accordance with the present invention;

FIG. 2 depicts an exploded cross-section of a section of the pocket organizer insert depicted in FIG. 1 illustrating how the plurality of pockets of the pocket organizer insert are contiguously woven from the same filaments in accordance with the present invention;

FIG. 3 depicts an exemplary pocket organizer insert in accordance with the present invention; and

FIG. 4 depicts an exploded cross-section of a section of the pocket organizer insert depicted in FIG. 3 illustrating how the plurality of pockets of the pocket organizer insert are contiguously woven from the same filaments in accordance with the present invention.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

The subject matter of the present invention is described with specificity herein to meet statutory requirements. However, the description itself is not intended to limit the scope of this patent. Rather, the inventors have contemplated that the claimed subject matter might also be embodied in other ways, to include different steps or combinations of steps similar to the ones described in this document, in conjunction with other present or future technologies. Moreover, although the terms “step” and/or “block” might be used herein to connote different elements of methods employed, the terms should not be interpreted as implying any particular order among or between various steps herein disclosed unless and except when the order of individual steps is explicitly stated.

At a high level, the present invention is directed toward constructing a variety of textile accessories from a multi-layer woven fabric using dual-loom technology. The dual-loom technology is used to weave filaments in such a way as to create a first set of different discrete layers of the same fabric in some regions of a textile and at least a second set of different discrete layers of the same fabric at other regions of the same textile. The different layers may be used to construct various textile structures, such as a compartmentalized bag pocket organizer insert with pockets, or a woven bag with compartmentalized pockets integrally woven from the same filaments. Because the layers that define the different textile structures are continuously woven from the same filaments, there is minimal need to sew different pieces of material together to create the structure. The result is a durable woven textile structure that resists heavy, repetitive use better than standard stitched structures. This mode of manufacturing can also significantly reduce manufacturing costs because it is less labor intensive. Air-jet looms and/or water-jet looms may be used to construct compartmentalized bags, or other types of accessories and/or apparel in accordance with the present invention, some examples of which are described herein. One example of suitable air-jet looms for use in practicing methods in accordance with the present invention and in constructing woven textile items in accordance with the present invention are air-jet looms available from Dornier Machinery Corporation of Charlotte, N.C.

More specifically, the present invention is directed toward a compartmentalized bag pocket organizer insert with different sized pockets constructed from a multi-layer woven fabric using dual-loom technology. The dual-loom technology is used to weave filaments in such a way as to create different layers of the same fabric; the different layers define a cavity or cavities with respective openings to define a pocket or pockets. Because the layers that define the pockets are continuously woven from the same filaments as the remainder of the bag, there is no need to sew different pieces of material together to create the pockets.

Turning now to FIG. 1, a bag, more specifically, a backpack 100 is depicted. In this case, dual-loom technology is used to construct the backpack pocket organizer insert 110. The backpack pocket organizer insert 110 may be constructed from a multi-layered woven textile fabric, such as those formed on Jacquard machines or Dobby looms. The woven pocket organizer insert 110 may be woven of nylon or polyester filamentary materials, but other filamentary materials may also be used. The filaments are interwoven in a locking pattern that provides substantial stability to the woven pocket organizer insert 110. A graphic design may be chosen to be integrally woven into the multi-layered fabric comprising the woven pocket organizer insert 110 in accordance with the present invention. The graphic design may be of the same color as the rest of the woven pocket organizer insert 110, or, alternatively, the graphic design may be woven using one or more different filament colors. In one aspect, the graphic design may comprise a logo. In another aspect, the graphic design may comprise a visual pattern, or a texturized pattern.

The woven pocket organizer insert 110 may be of any shape to match the general shape of the bag that the insert 110 will be used in, or may also be of a uniform shape (generally rectangular) that will have a universal fit for a wide range of bag shapes. For example, the backpack 100 shown in FIG. 1 has a rectangular insert affixed to an inner wall of the front pocket 120 of backpack 100. As can be seen from FIG. 1, the pocket organizer insert 110 has an intricate construction, which comprises a plurality of pockets 130, which may be of different shapes and sizes. The pocket organizer insert 110 may be formed as a single piece of material with a plurality of overlapping layers corresponding to the number of overlapping pockets desired.

In accordance with the present invention, the whole pocket organizer insert 110 with its plurality of pockets 130 may be woven from a single set of continuous filaments. Each pocket in the plurality of pockets 130 may be defined and separated by seaming woven regions 220, as shown in the exploded view 200 in FIG. 2. A selvedge may be woven at the periphery of the pocket organizer insert 110 and at each pocket edge defining each pocket's opening 140. Alternatively, a selvedge 210 may be woven only at the periphery of the pocket organizer insert 110 and the plurality of pockets 130 may be initially woven as enclosed cavities with a special weave defining a cutting line distinguishable from the rest of the fabric, woven at each location where a pocket opening 140 is to be had. When cutting the opening, only the top most layer of the plurality of overlapping layers may be cut at the cutting lines corresponding to the pocket openings 140.

In other words, in the multi-layered fabric comprising the pocket organizer insert in accordance with the present invention, each seaming woven region may bring two or more of the layers in the multi-layered fabric together so that just along the seaming woven regions, the number of layers in that region may be reduced by at least one layer. At the periphery of the woven pocket organizer insert however, all the layers in the fabric organizer insert may be brought together into a single layer and the periphery of the pocket organizer insert may be defined by a selvedge, or a cut line.

Each pocket shape in the plurality of pockets 130 may be designed with a particular purpose in mind. For example, referring to the example pocket organizer insert shown in FIG. 3, there are three different types of pockets formed in the plurality of pockets 330. Moving horizontally from right to left along the pocket organizer insert 310, a multipurpose large pocket 370 with a width and a length big enough to fit an article such as a cell phone, an MP3 player, or any other object that the user might want to fit in it. Adjacent to the large pocket 370, a plurality of narrower elongated pockets 360 may be woven, for example specifically designed to fit long and slim articles such as pens, pencils, straws, etc., and adjacent to the elongated pockets 360, a plurality of short and wide pockets 350 may be contiguously woven from the top down to hold articles such as credit cards, library cards, ID cards, business cards, etc. To form the pocket 370 and pockets 360, a double layer fabric may be woven and for the region corresponding to pockets 350, the pockets may be partially overlapping with each other so a more complex layering pattern may be needed in the weaving of these regions, where for example, three or more layers may be needed. The particular arrangement of pockets described above is given only as an example. In fact, the plurality of pockets 330 may be arranged in any other usable way for the particular type of bag in which the pocket organizer insert is to be used.

The pocket organizer insert 310 may be individually woven, several pocket organizer inserts 310 may be continuously woven along the length of a multi-layered fabric with finished edges 380 along the width of the pocket organizer insert, corresponding to the width of the multi-layered fabric, as shown in FIG. 3. The pocket organizer insets 310 may then be cut out and used in the respective bags. Alternatively, a plurality of pocket organizer inserts may be simultaneously woven along the width and length of the multi-layered fabric, each pocket organizer insert being defined and separated by woven cut lines 390, which may serve as guidelines where to cut the pocket organizer inserts out, as shown in FIG. 4.

The simultaneous multiple layer weaving to form the pocket organizer insert 300 in accordance with the present invention can be seen more clearly in reference to FIG. 5, which is an exploded cross-sectional view 400 of the region expanding from short and wide contiguous pockets 350 to narrow and elongated pockets 360 in FIGS. 3 and 4. In this particular view, it can be seen more clearly that the region comprising the narrow elongated pockets 360 may be woven as a double layered fabric comprising a first layer 410 and a second layer 420, with woven seaming regions 450, which serve to define and separate each pocket in the pocket organizer insert in accordance with the present invention. Additionally, in the more complex region comprising pockets 350, the fabric may comprise layers 410, 420 and 430, as shown. In other words, different regions of the pocket organizer insert in accordance with the present invention may comprise a different number of layers depending on the particular types of pockets and positioning of the pockets to be formed in the final product.

The woven pocket organizer insert in accordance with the present invention may be free floating within a bag, or may be either permanently affixed or temporarily affixed within a bag or on a bag. If affixed within a bag or bag compartment having walls defining an interior bag cavity, the woven pocket organizer system may be affixed to one of the walls defining the bag, or bag compartment, either on the inside or the outside of the bag or bag compartment.

For example, in the case that the woven pocket organizer insert is permanently affixed within a bag or on a bag, the woven pocket organizer insert may be affixed by stitching at least one side of the woven pocket organizer insert, for example along the top edge, along the two side edges, or along all edges. Other permanent affixing methods may include gluing, welding, taping, employing rivets, or any other type of method for permanently securing the woven pocket organizer insert. Conceivably, as mentioned earlier, the pocket organizer insert in accordance with the present invention may even be woven contiguously with the same filaments as the rest of the bag.

In the case where a removable or changeable pocket organizer insert is desired, the woven pocket organizer insert may be affixed within, or on a bag by for example a zipper along at least a top edge of the pocket organizer insert. Other methods for temporarily affixing the pocket organizer insert within or on a bag may include hook and loop systems, buttons, snap-on systems, etc. The temporary affixing methods described above are usually composed of two complimentary parts, each one affixed to either the pocket organizer insert, or the bag, that when brought together serve to hold the pocket organizer insert in place.

Conceivably, depending on which side of the temporary affixing complimentary systems is affixed to the pocket organizer insert itself, several complimentary parts may be affixed at different regions of the bag so that the pocket organizer insert may be moved around depending to the user's preference. For example if a hook and loop system, or a zipper system is used, the pocket organizer insert may be affixed by having the system affixed to at least a top edge of the pocket organizer insert, if snap-on systems or buttons are used, the insert may be affixed by at least one snap-on system, or at least one button at the middle of the top edge of the pocket organizer system, etc.

The present invention has been described in relation to particular examples, which are intended in all respects to be illustrative rather than restrictive. Alternative constructions will become apparent to those of ordinary skill in the art to which the present invention pertains without departing from its scope. Certain features and subcombinations are of utility and may be employed without reference to other features and subcombinations and are contemplated to be within the scope of the claims.

Claims

1. A bag comprising:

a woven pocket organizer insert constructed from a multi-layered woven fabric, the multi-layered woven fabric having at least two layers, the layers forming a plurality of pockets defined by seaming woven regions, and each pocket comprising an opening along a top side of each pocket, capable of receiving a storable object; and

a bag compartment having walls defining an interior bag cavity, and at least one attachment point securing the woven pocket organizer insert to at least one of the walls defining the bag interior.

2. The bag of claim 1, wherein the pocket organizer insert is woven from a single set of filaments.

3. The bag of claim 1, wherein the pocket organizer insert comprises at least two different pocket sizes.

4. The bag of claim 1, wherein the multi-layered woven fabric comprises at least two regions, wherein each region comprises a different number of woven layers.

5. The bag of claim 1, wherein the pocket organizer insert comprises at least two finished edges along a width of the pocket organizer insert.

6. The bag of claim 1, wherein the pocket organizer insert comprises nylon-type filamentary materials.

7. The bag of claim 1, wherein the pocket organizer insert comprises polyester-type filamentary materials.

8. The bag of claim 1, wherein a graphic design is woven into the multi-layered woven fabric comprising the pocket organizer insert.

9. The bag of claim 1, wherein a texturized pattern is woven into the multi-layered woven fabric comprising the pocket organizer insert.

10. The bag of claim 1, wherein a logo is woven into the multi-layered woven fabric comprising the pocket organizer insert.

11. The bag of claim 10, wherein the logo is a different color than the rest of the pocket organizer insert.

12. The bag of claim 1, wherein the pocket organizer insert is woven using a jacquard loom.

13. The bag of claim 1, wherein each pocket in the pocket organizer insert is initially woven as an enclosed cavity with a special weave pattern distinctly marking a cut line for each pocket opening.

14. The bag of claim 1, wherein each pocket in the pocket organizer insert is woven with a finished edge or selvedge at each pocket opening.

15. The bag of claim 1, wherein the woven pocket organizer insert is permanently affixed to the bag by stitching at least along a top edge of the woven pocket organizer insert.

16. The bag of claim 1, wherein the pocket organizer insert is permanently affixed to the bag by gluing along at least a top edge of the pocket organizer insert.

17. The bag of claim 1, wherein the pocket organizer insert is temporarily affixed to the bag by a zipper along at least a top edge of the pocket organizer insert.

18. The bag of claim 1, wherein the pocket organizer insert is temporarily affixed to the bag by a hook and loop system along at least a top edge of the pocket organizer insert.

19. The bag of claim 1, wherein the pocket organizer insert is temporarily affixed to the bag by at least one snap on system at a middle point along a top edge of the pocket organizer insert.

20. The bag of claim 1, wherein a location for the pocket organizer insert within or on the bag, may be customized by a user within pre-determined compatible locations.