HANGING CLOTHING TRANSPORT

Abstract

The present invention includes a clothing transport for organizing and storing clothing and other personal items for travel. The clothing transport comprises a plurality of pockets located on a first member or second member, each pocket having a corresponding label. In some embodiments, the label indicates the contents of the associated pocket. In some embodiments, the label indicates a day-of-the-week associated with the pocket. The clothing transport is configurable in an open position for packing, storing, and hanging, and in a compact position for carrying and transporting. The clothing transport may be secured in the compact position and may be conveniently carried using a carrying member. The second member may be detached from the clothing transport and left behind when the clothing transport is used on shorter trips. The clothing transport is simple to pack, guides children to clothes for a particular day-of-the-week, and separated dirty laundry from clean clothes.

Description

RELATED APPLICATIONS

This application claims priority under 35 U.S.C. 119(e) to the U.S. Provisional Patent Application No. 61/667,843, filed on March July 3, 2012, and entitled “Hanging Clothing Transport”. The entire contents of provisional application No. 61/667,843 are herein incorporated by reference.

TECHNICAL FIELD

The field of the present invention relates to travel luggage, and, more specifically, to a hanging clothing transport for organizing and storing clothing and other personal items for travel.

BACKGROUND

People often plan their outfits for travel in advance, coordinating their clothes to their planned activities. It can be difficult for children to remember which clothes to wear on the appropriate day when all of their clothes are stored together in one luggage compartment.

It may also be difficult for children to remember which clothes are clean and which are dirty, when all of the clothing is grouped into one suitcase.

The present inventor recognized a need for a luggage container that is simple to pack, guides children to wear the clothing choice on the appropriate day-of-the-week, and separates dirty laundry from clean clothes.

SUMMARY

The present invention includes a clothing transport for organizing and storing clothing and other personal items for travel. The clothing transport comprises a plurality of pockets located on a first member or second member, each pocket having a corresponding label. In some embodiments, the label indicates the contents of the associated pocket. In some embodiments, the label indicates a day-of-the-week associated with the pocket. The clothing transport is configurable in an open position for packing, storing, and hanging, and in a compact position for carrying and transporting. The clothing transport may be secured in the compact position and may be conveniently carried using a carrying member. The second member may be detached from the clothing transport and left behind when the clothing transport is used on shorter trips. The clothing transport is simple to pack, guides children to clothes for a particular day-of-the-week, and separated dirty laundry from clean clothes.

Embodiments of the present disclosure provides a clothing transport for organizing and storing clothing used for travel comprising: a first member having a set of first pockets and a set of first labels, wherein each first label corresponds to a first pocket; a second member detachably coupled to the first member, a plurality of pockets located on the first member and the second member; a plurality of labels located adjacent to the plurality of pockets, wherein each label corresponds to a pocket; and one or more securing devices configured to secure the device in a compact configuration.

In some embodiments, at least one label of the plurality of labels indicates contents of the corresponding pocket. In some embodiments, at least one label of the plurality of labels indicates a day-of-the-week associated with the corresponding pocket. In some embodiments, each label of the plurality of labels covers an opening of a corresponding pocket. For example, the one or more pockets may include a pocket label “Friday”, a pocket labeled “Saturday”, a pocket labeled “Sunday”, and a pocket labeled “Toiletries”.

In some embodiments, the plurality of pockets comprises one or more pockets attached to the first member, wherein the plurality of labels comprises one or more labels attached to the first member. In some embodiments, each pocket of the plurality of pockets comprises an opening configured to secure contents of the pocket. In some embodiments, the opening selectively attaches to the clothing transport to secure the contents. In some embodiments, the opening selectively attaches to a label corresponding to the pocket to secure the contents.

In some embodiments, the clothing transport further comprises a hanging mechanism. In some embodiments, the clothing transport further comprises a carrying member.

In some embodiments, each of the one or more securing devices is attached to the first member at a first end and selectively attaches to the first member at a second end. In some embodiments, the one or more securing devices comprises two or more straps attached to the first member at a first end and having an attachment mechanism on a second end, wherein the attachment mechanism of a first strap of the two or more straps is configured to selectively attach to the attachment mechanism of a second strap of the two or more straps. In some embodiments, a length of the one or more securing devices is adjustable

Embodiments of the present disclosure also provide a clothing transport apparatus comprising: a first member removably attached to a second member; a plurality of pockets attached to the first member or the second member; and a plurality of labels corresponding to the plurality of pockets, wherein a number of the plurality of labels equals a numbers of the plurality of pockets; and, wherein the clothing transport is adapted to transition between an open configuration and a compact configuration.

In some embodiments, the clothing transport also comprises a hanging mechanism configured to hang the clothing transport when in the open configuration.

In some embodiments, the clothing transport also comprises a securing device for securing the clothing transport in the compact configuration. In some embodiments, the securing device adjusts to a plurality of lengths comprising a first length for securing both the first member and the second member and a second length for securing only the first member.

In some embodiments, the plurality of labels is configured to secure contents of the plurality of pockets.

Embodiments of the disclosure further provide a clothing transport comprising a first storing means for storing clothing or personal items; a second storing means for storing clothing or personal items; a first labeling means for labeling the contents of the first storing means; a second labeling means for labeling the contents of the second storing means; an attachment means for selectively attaching the first storing means to the second storing means; and a securing means for selectively securing the clothing transport in a closed configuration.

Additional aspects and advantages will be apparent from the following detailed description of preferred embodiments, which proceeds with reference to the accompanying drawings.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is a front view of a clothing transport for organizing and storing clothing comprising a first member and a second member, according to embodiments of the disclosure.

FIG. 2 is a back view of the clothing transport of FIG. 1, according to embodiments of the disclosure.

FIG. 3 is a front view of the clothing transport of FIG. 1 with the first member separated from the second member of the clothing transport, according to embodiments of the disclosure.

FIG. 4 is a perspective view of the first member of the clothing transport of FIG. 1 in a compact configuration, according to embodiments of the disclosure.

FIG. 5 is a perspective view of the clothing transport of FIG. 1 in a compact configuration, according to embodiments of the disclosure.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

FIG. 1 is a front view of a clothing transport 10 for organizing and storing clothing and other personal items for travel. FIG. 2 is a back view of the clothing transport 10. The clothing transport 10 includes two members, a first member 16 and a second member 17. The second member 17 is selectively attachable the first member 16 via an attachment mechanism 15. As discussed in further detail with reference to FIG. 3, the attachment mechanism 15 may comprise a first attaching device and a corresponding second attaching. The clothing transport 10 may be configured in an open, extended configuration shown in FIG. 1, convenient for packing, displaying or hanging. The clothing transport 10 may also be configured in a closed, compact configuration, as discussed in further detail with reference to FIGS. 4 and 5.

The first member 16 is the primary member and includes a front panel 12 and a back panel 13 attached to each other. For example, the front panel 12 and the back panel 13 may be attached at their perimeters, e.g., by sewing, to prevent fraying. The front panel 12 and the back panel 13 may be made of flexible material, including, but not limited to, plastics, nylon, fabric (or textile), leather, leather substitute, or other suitable flexible material. The panels 12 and 13 may be attached to one another by sewing, by fusing, by an adhesive, by rivets, or by other suitable attaching means.

At one end of the first member 16 is a hanging device 11 to allow easy storage or display of the clothing transport 10. In some embodiments, the hanging device 11 is located at an opposite end from the attachment mechanism 15, such that, when hanging, the first member 16 is on top and the second member 17 is on bottom. The hanging device 11 may be any suitable means for hanging the clothing transport 10, including, but not limited to, a strap, a hook, or a system of hooks and/or straps. The first member 16 may also include an identification tag holder 24 for holding a removable, replaceable identification tag that identifies the owner of the clothing transport 10. The identification tag holder 24 may be made out of a transparent material, such as a transparent plastic, so that the identification tag can be easily read. The hanging device 11 and the identification tag holder 24 may be attached to the first member 16 by any suitable attaching means, including sewing, fusing, heat bonding, or through use of adhesives, rivets, etc.

The second member 17 is the secondary member and also includes a front panel 18 and a back panel 19 attached to each other. For example, the front panel 18 and the back panel 19 may be attached at their perimeters, e.g., by sewing, to prevent fraying. The front panel 18 and the back panel 19 may be made of flexible material, including, but not limited to, plastics, nylon, fabric (or textile), leather, leather substitute, or other suitable flexible material. The panels 18 and 19 may be attached to one another by sewing, by fusing, by an adhesive, by rivets, or by other suitable attaching means. As discussed in detail below with reference to FIG. 3, a second attaching device corresponding to the first attaching device of the first member 16 is located at one end of the second member 17 to allow a quick and easy attachment to (or detachment) from the first member 16.

The first member 16 and the second member 17 each comprise one or more pockets 14. At least one pocket 14 is attached to the front panel 12 of the first member 16 and at least one pocket 14 is attached to the front panel 18 of the second member 17. The pockets 14 are configured to store clothing and/or personal items in an organized manner. In some embodiments, the pockets 14 may be arranged in a matrix or grid configuration to provide organization. The pockets 14 are attached to the front panels 12 and 18 by sewing, by fusing, by an adhesive, by rivets, or by other suitable attaching means. The pockets may have a rectangular shape, similar to the front panels 12 and 18, and attached to the front panels 12 and 18 along three sides or edges. The fourth side is unattached, so as to form an opening 21. The pockets 14 may be manufactured of a flexible material, including, but not limited to, mesh, netting, cloth, elastic, or other suitable material. In some embodiments, the pockets 14 are made of mesh-like rectangles so that contents within the pockets 14 are visible through the material of the pockets 14.

The openings 21 of the pockets 14 are not attached to the front panel 12 and may be configured to retain the contents of the pockets. In some embodiments, the openings 21 include stretchable, elastic material to help retain the contents of the pockets 14. For example, the elastic opening 21 may be configured to both expand when a user places clothing or personal items in the pocket and contract afterwards to prevent the contents from coming out. In some embodiments, the openings 21 of the pockets 14 include securing means configured to secure the contents of the pockets 14, including, but not limited to, buttons, zippers, snap fasteners, hook-and-loop fasteners, hook-and-eye fasteners, laces, drawstrings, toggles, buckles, clasps, magnets, or other attachment devices. The securing means selectively attaches the opening 21 of a pocket 14 to the front panel 12 (or the front panel 18), so as to selectively secure the contents of the pockets 14.

The clothing transport 10 may further comprise a plurality of labels 20, the number of labels 20 corresponding to the number of pockets 14. One or more labels 20 are attached to the front panel 12 of the first member 16 and one or more labels 20 are attached to the second panel 17, each label 20 corresponding to a pocket 14. The labels 20 may be attached to the front panels 12 and 18 by sewing, by fusing, by an adhesive, by rivets, or by other suitable attaching means. The labels 20 may be made of a flexible material, including, but not limited to, plastics, nylon, fabric (or textile), leather, leather substitute, or other suitable flexible material. In certain embodiments, the labels 20 comprise the same material as the front panel 12.

In some embodiments, one or more labels 20 are attached to the front panel 12 or 18, such that each label 20 covers the opening 21 of its corresponding pocket 14 to inhibit the contents from being displaced from the pocket 14. For example, the label 20 may be affixed to the clothing transport 10 on one end so that the body of the label 20 hangs down over the opening 21. The labels 20 may be configured to aid in retaining the contents of the pockets 14. For example, the opening 21 of a pocket 14 may comprise securing means that selectively attaches the pocket 14 to the label 20. Such securing means may include buttons, zippers, snap fasteners, hook-and-loop fasteners, hook-and-eye fasteners, laces, drawstrings, toggles, buckles, clasps, magnets, or other attachment devices.

The labels 20 are used to indicate the contents of the corresponding pockets 14. A given label 20 may use words, letters, or other symbols to indicate the contents of its corresponding pocket 14. The labels 20 may indicate a day-of-the-week for which the contents of the corresponding pockets 14 are to be used or may indicate the nature of the contents of the corresponding pockets 14, e.g., toiletries, footwear, or other titles for travel items. Referring to FIG. 1, the first member 16 of the clothing transport 10 may include four pockets 14, with corresponding labels 20, for contents to be used on Friday, Saturday, and Sunday, as well as Toiletries. The second member 17 may also contain the four pockets 14, with corresponding labels 20, for contents to be used on Monday, Tuesday, Wednesday, and Thursday.

In some embodiments, interior portions of a pocket 14 may be attached to a front panel (for example, front panel 12) to form sub-pockets within the pocket 14. The sub-pockets share a common opening 21, as well as a common label 20. The sub-pockets facilitate organization of the contents of the pocket 14. For example, one sub-pocket could be used to store clothing and another could be used to store other travel items. Thus the additional seams (i.e., attached interior portions) create the effect of a greater number of pockets 14.

Referring to FIG. 2, the clothing transport 10 may further include one or more securing devices 22 configured to selectively secure the clothing transport 10 into a compact configuration. The one or more securing devices 22 are attached to the back panel 13 of the first member 16. The clothing transport 10 may be compacted by means, such as folding or rolling, and secured in the compacted position by the one or more securing devices 22, as shown in FIG. 6. The one or more securing devices 22 are attached to the back panel 13 at a location where they are easily accessible when the clothing transport is in the compact configuration. For example, the one or more securing devices may be attached towards the middle of the back panel 13 of the first member 16, as shown in FIG. 2. As another example, the securing devices 22 may be attached to the first member 16 near the hanging device 11. The one or more securing devices 22 may comprise straps, cords, ties, or other suitable devices. Additionally, the securing device(s) 22 may comprises buckles, zippers, buttons or other attachment mechanisms on one end of a securing device and configured to attach to a corresponding attachment device, as discussed below with reference to FIG. 5. This corresponding attachment device may be located on a different securing device 22 or on the back panel 13 of the first member 16. For example, the one or more securing devices 22 consist of two adjustable straps configured to encircle the clothing transport 10 and secure it in its compact form.

The clothing transport 10 may also include a carrying member 23, such as a carrying strap, that allows the clothing transport 10 to be easily carried when in the compact position. In some embodiments, the length of the carrying member 23 may be adjustable. In some embodiments, the carrying member 23 may be removable. The carrying member 23 may be attached to the securing device(s) 22 or may be attached to the first member 16 of the clothing transport 10. For example, the carrying member 23 may be attached to the back panel 13 near the securing device(s) 22.

FIG. 3 is a front view of the clothing transport 10 with the first member 16 separated from the second member 17, according to embodiments of the disclosure. The first member 16 and the second member 17 may be selectively detached from each other at the attachment mechanism 15 so that the clothing transport 10 comprises two independent pieces. FIG. 3 shows the clothing transport 10 in a simplified configuration consisting of the primary member 16.

According to some embodiments, the first member 16 may comprise four pockets 14, one each for Friday, Saturday, Sunday and Toiletries, and four corresponding labels 20. The second member 17 may also comprise four pockets 14, one each for Monday, Tuesday, Wednesday, and Thursday, and four corresponding labels 20. Thus organization of the first member 16 is convenient for weekend trips, while the organization of the second member 17 is convenient for weekday trips. Additionally, when used for a trip lasting only the weekend, the second member 17 may be separated from the first member 16, and the clothing transport 10 may be used without the second member 17.

The attachment device 15 may comprise a first attaching device 15a located on the first member 16 and a corresponding second attaching device 15b located on the second member 17. The first attaching device 15a is at one end of the first member 16, while the corresponding second attaching device 15b is located at an end of the second member 17 adjacent to the first member 16. The first attaching device 15a and the second attaching device 15b together form the attachment mechanism 15, which allows for quick and easy attachment (or detachment) of the first member 16 and the second member 17. The attachment mechanism 15 may comprise any suitable fastening means, including, but not limited to, one or more of: zippers, snap fasteners, buttons and corresponding buttonholes, laces and corresponding eyelets or loops, hook-and-loop fasteners, hook-and-eye fasteners, toggle fasteners, buckles, and clasps.

FIG. 4 is a perspective view of the first member 16 of the clothing transport 10 in a compact configuration, according to embodiments of the disclosure. As discussed above, the second member 17 may be separated from the clothing transport 10 leaving the first member 16 with pockets 14 (e.g., for Friday, Saturday, Sunday and Toiletries) convenient for a trip lasting only the weekend. When the second member 17 is detached from the first member 16, the first member 16 may be rolled up or folded into the compact configuration, convenient for traveling, as shown in FIG. 4. While in the compact configuration, the back panel 13 of the first member 16 is at the exterior or surface of the clothing transport 10 and the one or more pockets 14 of the first member 16 are positioned in the center of the clothing transport, thereby securing the contents (e.g., clothing or personal items) of the pockets 14 and providing at least some protection from exposure, e.g., to rain, sunlight, soil, or the elements. In some embodiments, the back panel 13 comprises material suitable for exposure to rain, dirt, sunlight, and other elements.

The first member 16 may be secured in the compact configuration by the one or more securing devices 22. Referring to FIG. 4, the securing devices encircle the first member 16 around a circumference of the first member 16 while in the compact configuration. The securing devices 22 serve may also be used to further compact the first member 16. For example, the securing device(s) 22 may be cinched around the first member 16 and the length of the securing device(s) 22 may be reduced, thereby further compacting the first member 16. The clothing transport 10, comprising the first member 16 but not the second member 17, may be conveniently carried using the carrying member 23 while in the compact configuration.

FIG. 5 is a perspective view of the clothing transport 10 in a compact configuration, according to embodiments of the disclosure. In these embodiments, the first member 16 and the second member 17 of the clothing transport 10 are attached together via the attachment mechanism 15. The clothing transport is folded or rolled into a compact configuration with the contents of the pockets 14 located centrally and the back panel 13 of the first member 16 located at the exterior of the clothing transport 10. In some embodiments, the back panel 19 of the second member 17 is also located on the exterior of the clothing transport. The clothing transport 10 is secured in the compact configuration by the one or more securing devices 22. As discussed above, each securing device 22 may have a buckle, zipper, button or other attachment mechanism on one end of a securing device and configured to attach to a corresponding attachment device located on another securing device 22 or on the back panel 13 of the first member 16. For example, a securing device 22 may comprise a strap with a female buckle 22a on one end and configured to releasably attach to a corresponding male buckle 22b located on another securing device 22. The straps 22 may be of an adjustable length to accommodate a variety of girths of the clothing transport 10.

While in the compact configuration, the clothing transport 10 may be conveniently carried, transported or stored. The carrying member 23 allows for convenient carrying and/or transportation of the clothing transport 10. In some embodiments, the carrying member may comprise a pad 23a for additional comfort while carrying the clothing transport 10. The pad 23a comprises a soft material and is configures to be placed between the carrying member 23 and a user's body. Examples of the pad 23a include, but are not limited to, shoulder pads, padded handles, and the like. The pad 23a provides cushioning and prevents the carrying member from digging into the user's body.

It will be obvious to those having skill in the art that many changes may be made to the details of the above-described embodiments without departing from the underlying principles of the invention. The scope of the present invention should, therefore, be determined only by the following claims.

Claims

1. A device for organizing and storing clothing used for travel, the device comprising:

a first member;

a second member detachably coupled to the first member,

a plurality of pockets located on the first member and the second member;

a plurality of labels located adjacent to the plurality of pockets, wherein each label corresponds to a pocket; and

one or more securing devices configured to secure the device in a compact configuration.

2. The device of claim 1, wherein at least one label of the plurality of labels indicates contents of the corresponding pocket.

3. The device of claim 1, wherein at least one label of the plurality of labels indicates a day-of-the-week associated with the corresponding pocket.

4. The device of claim 1, wherein each label of the plurality of labels covers an opening of a corresponding pocket.

5. The device of claim 1, further comprising a hanging mechanism.

6. The device of claim 1, further comprising a carrying member.

7. The device of claim 1, wherein each of the one or more securing devices is attached to the first member at a first end and selectively attaches to the first member at a second end.

8. The device of claim 1, wherein the one or more securing devices comprises two or more straps attached to the first member at a first end and having an attachment mechanism on a second end, and

wherein the attachment mechanism of a first strap of the two or more straps is configured to selectively attach to the attachment mechanism of a second strap of the two or more straps.

9. The device of claim 1, wherein each pocket of the plurality of pockets comprises an opening configured to secure contents of the pocket.

10. The device of claim 9, wherein the opening selectively attaches to the device to secure the contents.

11. The device of claim 9, wherein the opening selectively attaches to a label corresponding to the pocket to secure the contents.

12. The device of claim 1, wherein a length of the one or more securing devices is adjustable

13. The device of claim 1, wherein the plurality of pockets comprises one or more pockets attached to the first member, wherein the plurality of labels comprises one or more labels attached to the first member.

14. The device of claim 13, wherein the one or more pockets includes a pocket label “Friday”, a pocket labeled “Saturday”, a pocket labeled “Sunday”, and a pocket labeled “Toiletries”.

15. A clothing transport, comprising:

a first member removably attached to a second member;

a plurality of pockets attached to the first member or the second member; and

a plurality of labels corresponding to the plurality of pockets, wherein a number of the plurality of labels equals a numbers of the plurality of pockets;

wherein the clothing transport is adapted to transition between an open configuration and a compact configuration.

16. The clothing transport of claim 15, further comprising a hanging mechanism configured to hang the clothing transport when in the open configuration.

17. The clothing transport of claim 15, further comprising a securing device for securing the clothing transport in the compact configuration.

18. The clothing transport of claim 17, wherein the securing device adjusts to a plurality of lengths comprising a first length for securing both the first member and the second member and a second length for securing only the first member.

19. The clothing transport of claim 15, wherein the plurality of labels are configured to secure contents of the plurality of pockets.

20. An apparatus, comprising:

a first storing means for storing clothing or personal items;

a second storing means for storing clothing or personal items;

a first labeling means for labeling the contents of the first storing means;

a second labeling means for labeling the contents of the second storing means;

an attachment means for selectively attaching the first storing means to the second storing means; and

a securing means for selectively securing the clothing transport in a closed configuration.