FLEXIBLE WATER-ABSORBING UMBRELLA CASE

Abstract

The present invention is directed to a flexible water-absorbing umbrella case comprising (a) an inner sleeve comprised of a first water-absorbing material; (b) an outer sleeve coextensive with the inner sleeve, the outer sleeve comprising an outer layer which comprises a water-resistant material and an inner layer which comprises a second water-absorbing material; and (c) closure means along a longitudinal length of the inner and outer sleeves for alternately enclosing an umbrella within the case and opening the case to allow easy withdrawal of the umbrella therefrom.

Description

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

1. Technical Field

The present invention relates to a flexible water-absorbing umbrella case that may be used to store a wet umbrella.

2. Description of Related Art

Many umbrellas come with a tight-fitting sleeve made of a water-repellent material similar to that used in the umbrella itself. However, such sleeves are intended only to protect the umbrella from damage during storage and therefore do not provide any benefit in terms of drying the umbrella after use. In fact, such sleeves typically are used for storing only dry umbrellas. Consequently, there have been several attempts to provide a convenient case that may be used to store a wet umbrella and yet is sufficiently portable so as to be used during typical commutes.

U.S. Pat. No. 4,558,807 describes an umbrella holder for carrying a closed umbrella of the type having a telescoping stem. The holder includes a sheath for receiving and retaining the closed umbrella, a stiffening material for stiffening the sheath so that the sheath retains its shape regardless whether the umbrella is inserted therein, and a carrying strap for suspending the sheath for suspending the sheath from one's shoulder or across the body. The described umbrella holder does not include a water-absorbing material for absorbing water from a wet umbrella.

U.S. Pat. No. 4,558,807 describes a storage bag for an umbrella that reduces the amount of water leakage from a wet umbrella to adjacent articles while aiding in the drying of the umbrella through controlled evaporation. The bag contains an inner sleeve made of an air permeable, water absorbing material and an outer sleeve made of an air permeable, water repellent material. Notably, the outer sleeve of the described bag does not contain a water-absorbing layer to restrict water leakage from the inner sleeve to the outer sleeve. Further, the described storage bag cannot be opened along its length to expedite drying after use.

U.S. Pat. No. 6,655,399 describes a portable, absorbable umbrella stand that includes a hard casing for supporting an umbrella, a nylon case containing a drawstring, a sponge for collecting water, and fold-up legs attached to the casing for supporting the umbrella stand. Although the described umbrella stand is said to be portable, it is a stand rather than a case and is therefore not suitable for carrying along with an umbrella. Further, the described umbrella stand does not include sleeves having water-absorbing materials, relying instead on the presence of a sponge for water absorption.

U.S. Pat. No. 6,694,992 describes a wet umbrella holder that includes a liquid absorbent interior portion and a leak resistant exterior portion. The liquid absorbent interior portion includes a central cavity for receiving the wet umbrella and access means for extending the interior portion from the exterior portion. A connector portion connects the interior portion to the exterior portion. The holder may also include an adjustment strap that restricts access to the central cavity within the interior portion. However, like the storage bag described in U.S. Pat. No. 4,558,807, the outer portion of the described umbrella holder does not contain a water-absorbing layer to restrict water leakage from the inner portion to the outer portion. Moreover, also like the storage bag described in U.S. Pat. No. 4,558,807, the described umbrella holder cannot be opened along its length to expedite drying after use.

Thus, there exists a continuing need for a convenient flexible water-absorbing umbrella case that may be used to store a wet umbrella and which is easily dried following use. The present invention substantially fulfills this need.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The present invention is directed to a flexible water-absorbing umbrella case comprising (a) an inner sleeve comprised of a first water-absorbing material, said inner sleeve having an open top end and a substantially closed end and adapted to receive a closed umbrella so as to allow the handle of said umbrella to protrude beyond said open end of said inner sleeve; (b) an outer sleeve coextensive with said inner sleeve, said outer sleeve comprising an outer layer which comprises a water-resistant material and an inner layer which comprises a second water-absorbing material, said outer sleeve having an open top end adjacent to said open top end of said inner sleeve and a closed bottom end adjacent to said closed bottom end of said inner sleeve; and (c) closure means along a length of said inner and outer sleeves for alternately enclosing said umbrella within said case and opening said case to allow easy withdrawal of said umbrella therefrom.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

The invention will be better understood and objects other than those set forth above will become apparent when consideration is given to the following detailed description thereof. Such description makes reference to the annexed drawings wherein:

FIG. 1 is a front view of the present invention in the open position.

FIG. 2 is a front view of the present invention in the closed position, with an umbrella inserted.

FIG. 3 is a front view of the present invention in the closed position using a drawstring, with an umbrella inserted.

In the following description of the invention similar reference characters refer to similar parts throughout the several views of the drawings.

DETAILED DESCRIPTIONS

FIG. 1 shows umbrella case 100 of the present invention having top end 110, bottom end 120, inner sleeve 140, outer sleeve 150, closure means 160 and hanging means 170. As shown, closure means 160 is a zipper, which includes zipper pull tab 165. Top end 110 is open while bottom end 120 is substantially closed. Umbrella case 100 is adapted to receive a closed umbrella so as to allow the handle of said umbrella to protrude beyond top end 110.

Inner sleeve 140 extends from top end 110 to bottom end 120 and is made of a water-absorbing material. The water-absorbing material of inner sleeve 140 may be, for example, a woven cotton fabric or blend of two or more types of water-absorbing fabrics. Suitable water-absorbing cotton fabrics include, for example, terry cloth and chamois cloth cotton. Other suitable water-absorbing materials include blends of viscose and polyester. In one embodiment of such blend materials, the material includes from 60% to 90% viscose and from 40% to 10% polyester. In one particular embodiment the water-absorbing material of inner sleeve 140 is made of 70% viscose and 30% polyester. In another embodiment, the water-absorbing material of inner sleeve 140 is made of 80% viscose and 20% polyester. In yet another particular embodiment, the water-absorbing material of inner sleeve 140 is made of 90% viscose and 10% polyester.

Outer sleeve 150 is coextensive with inner sleeve 140. Outer sleeve 150 includes an outer layer made of a water-resistant material and an inner layer made of a water-absorbing material. Like inner sleeve 140, outer sleeve 150 is open at top end 110 and substantially closed at bottom end 120. The outer layer of outer sleeve 150 may be made of any suitable material that is water-resistant, such as, for example, nylon fabrics typically used in manufacturing umbrella canopies. Alternatively, the outer layer may be made of a fabric such as those typically used in outdoor furniture upholstery. The Inner layer of outer sleeve 150 may be made of any suitable water-absorbing material, such as those discussed above with respect to inner sleeve 140.

Closure means 160 is positioned along a length of inner sleeve 140 and outer sleeve 150 for alternately enclosing an umbrella within umbrella case 100 and opening umbrella case 100 to allow easy withdrawal of an umbrella therefrom. An additional advantage of having closure means 160 positioned along a length of inner sleeve 140 and outer sleeve 150 is that it facilitates opening the umbrella case along its length and thereby allows for rapid drying of the umbrella case after use. Closure means 160 may be any mechanical fastener that facilitates closing umbrella case 100 along its length from top to bottom. Such mechanical fasteners include, for example, a zipper, a hook-and-loop fastener, a snap, a clip, a button or any combination thereof. In one embodiment closure means 160 is a zipper.

Hanging means 170 allows umbrella case 100 to be easily hung from a spoke of an open umbrella. This allows a user to keep umbrella case 100 with a corresponding umbrella while the umbrella is in use, thereby obviating the need to store umbrella case 100 in a pocket or carrying bag and reducing the risk of misplacing or losing the umbrella case. Hanging means 170 may be any mechanical fastener that facilitates hanging umbrella case 100 from a spoke of an open umbrella. Such mechanical fasteners include, for example, a hook-and-loop fastener, a snap, a clip, a button or any combination thereof. In one embodiment, hanging means 170 is a hook-and-loop fastener.

In one embodiment, umbrella case 100 also includes folding attachment means 175A near bottom end 120 for allowing umbrella case 100 to be hung from a spoke of an umbrella in a folded position. Folding hanging means 175A is most suitable for umbrella cases that are sufficiently long that if hung from a spoke of an umbrella in an unfolded position they are likely to occasionally touch a user's head area. A user may then fold umbrella case 100 about in half and attach folding attachment means 175A to corresponding folding attachment means 175B (see FIG. 2) located near top end 110 or to hanging means 170. Folding attachment means 175A and 175B may be any mechanical fastener that facilitates retaining umbrella case 100 in a folded position. Such mechanical fasteners include, for example, a hook-and-loop fastener, a snap, a clip, a button or any combination thereof. In one embodiment, the folding attachment means 175A and 175B each is a hook-and-loop fastener.

FIG. 2 shows umbrella case 100 of the present invention having outer sleeve 150, closure means 160, hanging means 170, and folding attachment means 175A and 175B. As shown, closure means 160 is a zipper, which includes zipper pull tab 165. An umbrella handle is shown to protrude from top end 110 while the umbrella tip is shown protruding from bottom end 120.

FIG. 3 shows umbrella case 100 of the present invention having outer sleeve 150, hanging means 170, folding attachment means 175A and 175B, drawstring 180 and locking means 185. As shown, locking means 185 is a cord stopper. Drawstring 180 and locking means 185 allow a user to substantially close top end 110 around an umbrella.

While particular embodiments of the present invention have been shown and described herein for purposes of illustration, it will be understood that the invention is not limited thereto. Modifications may be made by persons skilled in the art, particularly in light of the foregoing teachings, without deviating from the spirit and scope of the invention. Accordingly, the invention is not limited except as by the appended claims.

All of the U.S. patents and published U.S. patent applications referred to in this specification are incorporated herein by reference in their entirety to the extent not inconsistent with the present description.

Claims

1. A flexible water-absorbing umbrella case comprising

(a) an inner sleeve comprised of a first water-absorbing material, said inner sleeve having an open top end and a substantially closed bottom end and adapted to receive a closed umbrella so as to allow the handle of said umbrella to protrude beyond said top end of said inner sleeve;

(b) an outer sleeve coextensive with said inner sleeve, said outer sleeve comprising an outer layer which comprises a water-resistant material and an inner layer which comprises a second water-absorbing material, said outer sleeve having an open top end adjacent to said open top end of said inner sleeve and a substantially closed bottom end adjacent to said substantially closed bottom end of said inner sleeve; and

(c) closure means along a length of said inner and outer sleeves for alternately enclosing said umbrella within said case and opening said case to allow easy withdrawal of said umbrella therefrom.

2. The water-absorbing umbrella case according to claim 1, wherein said first water-absorbing material is a woven cotton fabric or a blend of viscose and polyester.

3. The water-absorbing umbrella case according to claim 2, wherein said first water-absorbing material is a blend of viscose and polyester comprising from 60% to 90% viscose and from 40% to 10% polyester.

4. The water-absorbing umbrella case according to claim 2, wherein said first water-absorbing material is a blend of viscose and polyester comprising from 70% to 80% viscose and from 30% to 20% polyester.

5. The water-absorbing umbrella case according to claim 2, wherein said first water-absorbing material is a blend of viscose and polyester comprising about 80% viscose and about 20% polyester.

6. The water-absorbing umbrella case according to claim 1, wherein said second water-absorbing material is a woven cotton fabric or a blend of viscose and polyester.

7. The water-absorbing umbrella case according to claim 6, wherein said second water-absorbing material is a blend of viscose and polyester comprising from 60% to 90% viscose and from 40% to 10% polyester.

8. The water-absorbing umbrella case according to claim 6, wherein said second water-absorbing material is a blend of viscose and polyester comprising from 70% to 80% viscose and from 30% to 20% polyester.

9. The water-absorbing umbrella case according to claim 6, wherein said second water-absorbing material is a blend of viscose and polyester comprising about 80% viscose and about 20% polyester.

10. The water-absorbing umbrella case according to claim 1, wherein said water-resistant material is nylon.

11. The water-absorbing umbrella case according to claim 1, wherein said closure means is a zipper, a hook-and-loop fastener, a snap, a clip, a button or any combination thereof.

12. The water-absorbing umbrella case according to claim 8, wherein said closure means is a zipper.

13. The water-absorbing umbrella case according to claim 1, further comprising an opening at said bottom ends of said of said inner and outer sleeves, wherein said opening is adapted to allow the tip of a end-tipped umbrella to protrude therethrough during storage.

14. The water-absorbing umbrella case according to claim 1, further comprising means for hanging said umbrella case from a spoke of said umbrella when said umbrella is in an open position.

15. The water-absorbing umbrella case according to claim 1, further comprising a means for hanging said umbrella case from a spoke of said umbrella comprising a hook and loop fastener, a snap, a clip, a button or combination thereof.

16. The water-absorbing umbrella case according to claim 1, further comprising a means for folding attachment of said umbrella case from a spoke of said umbrella comprising a hook and loop fastener, a snap, a clip, a button or combination thereof near the top end; and a hook and loop fastener, a snap, a clip, a button or combination thereof near the bottom end.