DUAL-PURPOSE WINE BOTTLE SLEEVE AND GOLF CLUB HEAD COVER

Abstract

A dual-purpose bottle sleeve and golf head club cover is disclosed including a cover body of flexible material having an open mouth and a closed end, at least one elastic band having an un-stretched diameter less than the open mouth, a hem proximate the open mouth comprising at least one opening, wherein the hem encloses a drawstring to close the open mouth.

Description

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

This application claims priority to U.S. Provisional Patent Application No. 62/285,015, filed Dec. 4, 2015, the entirety of which is incorporated herein by reference.

STATEMENT REGARDING GOVERNMENT SUPPORT

None.

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

The present device relates to a dual-purpose bottle carrier and golf club head cover. One embodiment of the present device more specifically relates to an insulated sleeve with at least one internal retaining member sized and arranged for covering and/or securing a bottle of wine or a golf club head.

BACKGROUND

Wine and liquor bottle sleeves are known in the art for insulating, protecting and/or transporting such bottles. They are generally made from any one of a number of materials including, but not limited to, neoprene, wool, cotton, plastic and/or encapsulated gel materials (for insulation), bubble wrap, and hard containers. They can be designed to fit various bottle sizes including champagne bottles, 750 ml. bottles of wine, and up to 2-liter sized bottles. They are sometimes shock resistant, sometimes offer insulating properties, and generally cover most or all of the bottle. Neoprene bottle sleeves allow limited flexibility to secure the bottle, but are often limited to specific bottle sizes, such as a standard 750 ml. bottle of wine. Wine bottles that are chilled prior to transport often result in some condensation, which makes such bottles slippery. Since most wine and liquor bottles are made of glass, when they become slippery, they are easily dropped and broken.

Golf club covers come in a variety of shapes and sizes and are used to protect a golf club, and particularly the club head, during non-use and transport. Golf clubs are expensive, particularly woods and drivers that are used for hitting longer distance shots. The hitting surfaces of drivers and woods are critical to performance. Protecting such clubs and hitting surfaces with a club cover is common. Generally, golf club covers are shaped to cover the club head and a relatively small portion of the club shaft extending from the club head. Most club head covers are generally open at one end (at the shaft-end of the club) and closed at an opposite end. Some club head covers mimic the shape of the club head and include a much narrower, but flexible, neck portion that is intended to extend down part of the club shaft away from the club head towards an open end of the club head cover.

The material used for the club head cover is often different from the material used for the neck portion of the club cover. The club head cover is often made of leather, rubber or some other soft padded material. The neck portion of the club cover is often made of material that is flexible such as a knit sock, wool (with possibly some elastic material such as spandex), or other elongated and flexible material. The flexible material is intended to be expanded to allow insertion of the much larger golf club head and protect at least part of the shaft after covering the club head. Club heads are measured by volume in cubic centimeters (cc) with a maximum limit of 460 cc. Most large driver heads are now between 440 cc and 460 cc.

A dual-purpose wine bottle sleeve and golf club head cover is not known in the art. The differences in size between the standard 750 ml. bottle of wine and 460 cc golf club head are likely why there is no known such dual-purpose sleeves/covers. It would be advantageous to have a wine bottle sleeve that may be used to safely transport and gift a bottle of wine so that the recipient can recycle the wine bottle sleeve into a club head cover. It would be desirable to have a dual-purpose wine bottle sleeve and golf club head cover sized and arranged to securely fit, at least, both a standard 750 ml. bottle of wine and 460 cc golf club head as disclosed herein.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

It should be appreciated that this Summary is provided to introduce a selection of concepts in a simplified form, the concepts being further described below in the Detailed Description. This Summary is not intended to identify key features or essential features of this disclosure, nor is it intended to limit the scope of the invention.

The present disclosure provides a dual-purpose bottle sleeve and golf head club cover including at least one elastic band of material for releasably securing any one or more of a bottle and a golf club head.

In some embodiments, a dual-purpose bottle sleeve and golf head club cover is disclosed and includes an outer layer of likely flexible material comprising an open end and a closed end, an inner layer of likely flexible material attached proximate to at least the open end, at least one elastic band of material attached to the inner layer and arranged to releasably secure any one or more of a bottle and a golf club head, and a tightening mechanism proximate to the open end.

In some embodiments, a dual-purpose bottle sleeve and golf head club cover is disclosed and includes a cover body of flexible material having an open mouth and a closed end, at least one elastic band having an un-stretched diameter less than the open mouth, a hem proximate the open mouth comprising at least one opening, wherein the hem encloses a drawstring to close the open mouth.

In some embodiments, a dual-purpose bottle sleeve and golf head club cover is disclosed and includes an outer layer of flexible material comprising an open end and a closed end, at least one elastic band of material having an un-stretched diameter less than the open end and arranged closer to the closed end to releasably secure any one or more of a bottle and a golf club head, a tightening mechanism proximate to the open end to at least partially close the open end.

In some embodiments, additional horizontal and/or elastic bands may be provided to facilitate the expansion of elastic band as the golf club or wine bottle is inserted into sleeve/cover and to more tightly secure the golf club or wine bottle.

It is noted that aspects of the invention described with respect to one embodiment may be incorporated in a different embodiment although not specifically described relative thereto. That is, all embodiments and/or features of any embodiment can be combined in any way and/or combination. Applicant reserves the right to change any originally filed claim or file any new claim accordingly, including the right to be able to amend any originally filed claim to depend from and/or incorporate any feature of any other claim although not originally claimed in that manner. These and other objects and/or aspects of the present invention are explained in detail below.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is a side view of one embodiment of the present invention cover.

FIG. 2 is another side view of one embodiment of the present invention cover.

FIG. 3 is a bottom-side-up view according to one embodiment of the present invention cover.

FIG. 4 is a cross-sectional view of one embodiment of the present invention cover.

FIG. 5 is a side view of one embodiment of the present invention cover that illustrates an exemplary golf club contained within the present invention cover.

FIG. 6 is a cross-sectional view of another embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 7 is a side view of one embodiment of the present invention cover that illustrates an exemplary wine bottle contained within the present invention cover.

FIG. 8 is a side view of another embodiment of the present invention cover.

FIG. 9 is a perspective view of the presently disclosed dual purpose wine bottle sleeve and golf club head cover.

FIG. 10 is a bottom-side-up perspective view of the presently disclosed dual purpose wine bottle sleeve and golf club head cover.

FIG. 11 is a front view of the presently disclosed dual purpose wine bottle sleeve and golf club head cover.

FIG. 12 is a back view of the presently disclosed dual purpose wine bottle sleeve and golf club head cover.

FIG. 13 is a side view of the presently disclosed dual purpose wine bottle sleeve and golf club head cover.

FIG. 14 is a side view (opposite of FIG. 13) of the presently disclosed dual purpose wine bottle sleeve and golf club head cover.

FIG. 15 is a top view of the presently disclosed dual purpose wine bottle sleeve and golf club head cover.

FIG. 16 is a bottom view of the presently disclosed dual purpose wine bottle sleeve and golf club head cover.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

The present invention will now be described more fully hereinafter with reference to the accompanying figures, in which embodiments of the invention are shown. This invention may, however, be embodied in many different forms and should not be construed as limited to the embodiments set forth herein. Like numbers refer to like elements throughout. In the figures, certain components or features may be exaggerated for clarity, and broken lines may illustrate optional features or elements unless specified otherwise. In addition, the sequence of operations (or steps) is not limited to the order presented in the figures and/or claims unless specifically indicated otherwise. Features described with respect to one figure or embodiment can be associated with another embodiment or figure although not specifically described or shown as such.

It will be understood that when a feature or element is referred to as being “on” another feature or element, it can be directly on the other feature or element or intervening features and/or elements may also be present. In contrast, when a feature or element is referred to as being “directly on” another feature or element, there are no intervening features or elements present. It will also be understood that, when a feature or element is referred to as being “connected”, “attached” or “coupled” to another feature or element, it can be directly connected, attached or coupled to the other feature or element or intervening features or elements may be present. In contrast, when a feature or element is referred to as being “directly connected”, “directly attached” or “directly coupled” to another feature or element, there are no intervening features or elements present. Although described or shown with respect to one embodiment, the features and elements so described or shown can apply to other embodiments. The terminology used herein is for the purpose of describing particular embodiments only and is not intended to be limiting of the invention. As used herein, the singular forms “a”, “an” and “the” are intended to include the plural forms as well, unless the context clearly indicates otherwise. It will be further understood that the terms “comprises” and/or “comprising,” when used in this specification, specify the presence of stated features, steps, operations, elements, and/or components, but do not preclude the presence or addition of one or more other features, steps, operations, elements, components, and/or groups thereof. As used herein, the term “and/or” includes any and all combinations of one or more of the associated listed items and may be abbreviated as “/”.

As used herein, phrases such as “between X and Y” and “between about X and Y” should be interpreted to include X and Y. As used herein, phrases such as “between about X and Y” mean “between about X and about Y.” As used herein, phrases such as “from about X to Y” mean “from about X to about Y.”

Spatially relative terms, such as “under”, “below”, “lower”, “over”, “upper” and the like, may be used herein for ease of description to describe one element or feature's relationship to another element(s) or feature(s) as illustrated in the figures. It will be understood that the spatially relative terms are intended to encompass different orientations in use or operation in addition to the orientation depicted in the figures.

It will be understood that although the terms first and second are used herein to describe various features or elements, these features or elements should not be limited by these terms. These terms are only used to distinguish one feature or element from another feature or element. Thus, a first feature or element discussed below could be termed a second feature or element, and similarly, a second feature or element discussed below could be termed a first feature or element without departing from the teachings of the present invention.

Unless otherwise defined, all terms (including technical and scientific terms) and phrases used herein have the same meaning as commonly understood by one of ordinary skill in the art to which this invention belongs. It will be further understood that terms, such as those defined in commonly used dictionaries, should be interpreted as having a meaning that is consistent with their meaning in the context of the specification and relevant art and should not be interpreted in an idealized or overly formal sense unless expressly so defined herein. Well-known functions or constructions may not be described in detail for brevity and/or clarity.

The term “about”, as used herein with respect to a value or number, means that the value or number can vary by +/− twenty percent (20%). The terms “about,” “somewhat,” etc., with respect to structural or functional inter-relations apart from values or numbers are used to convey that an absolute inter-relation is not required, so as the elements satisfy the described purpose within such inter-relation.

The terms “flexible” and “flexible material” refer to the various materials and properties thereof as disclosed herein for at least partially housing a bottle and golf club head. Flexible material includes leather, felt, pleather, wool, cotton, plastic and any other material that may generally be reshaped without breaking.

The terms “elastic band” and “elastic band of material” includes any band, roping, cord, belt, strap or similar material that is resilient and able to resume its relatively original shape. In some embodiments, at least one elastic band is disclosed to snuggly surround a bottle and create resistance that resists the removal of the bottle from the elastic band. In some embodiments, at least one elastic band is disclosed to reduce the size of a second opening inside the sleeve once a golf club head is inserted in through the second opening, such that the elastic band is engaged around the shaft of the club proximate to the club head.

The term “tightening mechanism” includes any draw string, cord, rope or similar mechanism for tightening the opening of a sleeve. In some embodiments, a hem with an open passageway proximate to, or around the edge of, the open mouth is disclosed having at least one opening, wherein the hem encloses a tightening mechanism to at least partially close the open mouth of the sleeve. The tightening mechanism in some embodiments may comprise one or more elastic bands.

The terms “sleeve” and “cover” mean any type of container for enclosing, containing, covering, packaging, and/or protecting, either partially or completely. In some embodiments, a dual-purpose bottle sleeve and golf head club cover are one in the same and includes any one or more of a sleeve, cover, enclosure, container, packaging, wrap, sock, pouch, bag, sack, and vessel.

According to at least one embodiment, the present disclosure teaches a dual-purpose bottle sleeve and golf head club cover including a cover body of flexible material having an open mouth and a closed end. In some embodiments, at least one elastic band is disclosed with an un-stretched diameter less than the diameter of the fully open mouth. In some embodiments, a hem is disclosed proximate to the open mouth enclosing a tightening mechanism to at least partially close the open mouth.

According to at least one embodiment, the present disclosure teaches a dual-purpose bottle sleeve and golf head club cover including at least one outer layer of flexible material comprising an open end and a closed end, at least one inner layer of flexible material attached proximate to the open end, at least one elastic band of material attached to the inner layer and arranged to releasably secure any one or more of a bottle and a golf club head, and a tightening mechanism proximate to the open end.

According to some embodiments, a dual-purpose bottle sleeve and golf head club cover 100 is disclosed and includes an outer layer 110, a closed end 120, and an open end 130, as shown in FIG. 1. In some embodiments, the outer layer 110 is generally made of flexible material of any type known in the art. In one embodiment, the flexible material can be leather or suede. In some embodiments, a tightening mechanism (e.g., drawstring) 150 can be secured to the outer layer 110 proximate to the open end 130 to open and at least partially close the open end 130 of the cover 100. In one embodiment, the tightening mechanism 150 is secured to the outer layer 110 by way of a hem 140 having a sufficient space defined by the distance W from the open end 130 of the cover 100 to house the internal portion of the tightening mechanism (not shown) within. In some embodiments, distance W is between one (1) inch and two (2) inches. In some embodiments, distance W is defined as the distance from the open end 130 to stitching 145. In at least one embodiment, distance W is approximately 1.5 inches.

In some embodiments, an elastic band or webbing of material (not shown) is arranged and sized internal the cover 100 to secure both a bottle and a golf club head (collectively, not shown). In at least one embodiment, an elastic band or webbing of material can at least lightly engage a 750 ml. bottle of wine and 460 cc golf club head. The open end 130 has a diameter V to accommodate at least any one or more of a 750 ml. bottle of wine and 460 cc golf club head, at least 4 inches in diameter in one embodiment. In at least one embodiment, the elastic band is relatively horizontal to the open end 130 and located at approximately A at, alongside, or internal to, the cover 100. In some embodiments, the elastic band is internal to the cover 100. In some embodiments, the elastic band is a braded elastic band between ⅛ inch and ½ inch in thickness. In some embodiments, the elastic band has a relative circumference of between 2 inches and 4 inches in non-expanded form. In one embodiment, the elastic band has a relative circumference of approximately 3.5 inches in non-expanded form. In some embodiments, the elastic band can expand up to 10 inches without breaking.

Referring now to FIG. 2, in some embodiments, an elastic band 160 can be located Y distance from the opening end 130 of the cover 100. In some embodiments, where the length X of the cover 100 extends from the open end 130 to the closed end 120, the elastic band's distance Y from the opening is approximately half the length X of the cover 100. In some embodiments, the elastic band's distance Y from the opening is approximately two-thirds the length X of the cover 100. In some embodiments, distance X is between 10 inches and 14 inches. In at least one embodiment, distance X is approximately 12 inches. In some embodiments, distance Y is at least 50% of X. In some embodiments, distance Y is between 60% and 80% of X. In at least one embodiment, distance Y is greater than Z such that the elastic band is closed to the closed end 120 than the open end 130. In at least one embodiment, an elastic band (not shown) is distance Z from the closed end 120. In some embodiments, distance Z is between 3 inches and 5 inches. In at least one embodiment, distance Z is approximately 4 inches.

In at least one embodiment shown in FIG. 2, the elastic band 160 is shown incorporated into the outer layer 110 of the cover 100 by any known method to one of skill in the art. In some embodiments, the outer layer 110 is neoprene or another water resistant and/or insulating material.

Referring now to FIG. 3, a bottom-up view is presented such that elastic band 160 can be seen from the inside of the device. In this exemplary embodiment, the elastic band 160 is shown having a diameter approaching, but not greater than, diameter V of opening 130. Tightening mechanism 150 is also presented in a generally un-tightened state such that open end 130 is substantially open.

In at least one embodiment, a further “sock” (not shown) can be tucked into the inside of the cover 100, where the sock may be extracted to extend from the open end 130 to a predetermined length for at least partially covering a shaft of a golf club (not shown). In various embodiments, a single elastic band is between 5 inches and 8 inches in un-stretched length. In various embodiments, multiple elastic bands from 2.5 inches to 4 inches are combined to make one band.

In at least one embodiment shown in FIG. 4, the cover 400 includes an outer layer 410 and an inner layer 470. It may be desirable to have inner layer 470 to accommodate cold bottles and/or condensation. It may also be desirable to have additional material (not shown) between inner layer 470 and outer layer 410 to provide additional insulation and/or padding-type protection. It may also be desirable to have an inner layer 470 when the outer layer 410 is made from a material (e.g., leather) that can be damaged by water, alcohol or other fluids. In at least one embodiment, the outer layer 410 is leather or suede, and the inner layer 470 is felt or some water resistant material. In various embodiments, any one or both of the outer layer 410 and inner layer 470 are made of one or more flexible materials. In at least one embodiment, the inner layer 470 is attached to the outer layer 410 proximate to the closed end 420 and open end 430 or the hem stitching 445.

In some embodiments, an elastic band 460 is attached to, at, alongside, external to, or internal to, the inner layer 470. In at least one embodiment, an elastic band 460 is attached to the inner layer 470 at a distance Z from the closed end 420. In various embodiments, an elastic band 460 is sized and arranged to at least lightly engage a 750 ml. bottle of wine and 460 cc golf club head (both not shown), or other sizes of bottles and club heads on the market. The space 480 created within the inner layer 470 from the elastic band 460 to the distal end of the internal layer proximate to the closed end 420 is designed to accommodate at least part of a 750 ml. bottle of wine and 460 cc golf club head, or other sizes of bottles and club heads on the market. In various embodiments, the elastic band 460 can be stretched around a bottle to gently secure it and around a club head so as to secure the club head in the space 480 and provide at least some resistance to removing the club head. In various embodiments, the inner layer 470 between the elastic band 460 and the distal end of the internal layer proximate to the closed end 420 is flexible enough to accommodate a bottle and a club head.

Referring now to FIG. 5, an exemplary embodiment of the present disclosure is presented with a golf club 495 installed therein. In this configuration, according to some embodiments, elastic band contracts to a diameter substantially less than the open diameter (e.g., V) of open end 430. FIG. 5 also illustrates open end 430 in a tightened state using tightening mechanism 450, thereby reducing the diameter of opening 430 to a distance less than V, but greater than the diameter of a club shaft of golf club 495. It will be understood by those having skill in the art that the tightening mechanism need not be in a tightened state to adequately secure a golf club (e.g., golf club 495). It will also be appreciated by those having skill in the art that elastic band 460 may be part of or otherwise integrated with outer layer 410, inner layer 470, or any other appropriate configuration.

For smaller club heads, such as 3-woods, hybrids and the like, the distance Z (see, e.g., FIG. 4) of the elastic band 460 from the closed end 420 can be reduced, but sufficient to secure the relatively smaller club head. In some embodiments, the open end 430 can be expanded to a circumference of at least 3 inches, and preferably 4 inches, and even more preferably 4.25 inches. In some embodiments, the open end 430 can be reduced in size by a tightening mechanism 450 to about the cross-sectional circumference of a golf shaft (see, for example, FIG. 5). In at least one embodiment, the elastic band can be adjusted in location along the inner layer 470 (or outer 410).

Referring now to FIG. 6, yet another embodiment of the cover 600 is presented that includes one or more additional vertical elastic bands 690 in relatively vertical configuration. More particularly, in some embodiments, vertical elastic bands 690 extend from about the opening 630 to about the elastic band 660, and in some embodiments can be spaced generally equidistant about the perimeter of the inner layer 670 or outer layer 610, as desired. The vertical elastic bands 690 provide the advantage of, among other things, facilitating the expansion of elastic band 660 as the golf club (e.g., golf club 495) or wine bottle (see, e.g., wine bottle 710 in FIG. 7) is inserted into cover 600. Elastic bands 690 can also have the advantage of better securing cover 600 to club 495 or bottle 710, along with elastic band 660 and tightening mechanism 650.

Referring now to FIG. 7, cover 600 is presented with an exemplary wine bottle 710 installed therein. In a manner similar to golf club 495, cover 600 can securely engage the wine bottle 710 using, among other things, elastic band 660, tightening mechanism 650, and/or vertical elastic bands 690.

In certain other embodiments, cover 100 may also include logo 810 to be presented on the outer layer 110 and/or closed end 120 as illustrated in FIG. 8. It will be understood that logo 810 can include any decal, patch, design, picture, stitching, or other material desired by a user.

Referring now to FIG. 9 to FIG. 16, in some embodiments, the shape, ornament, pattern and/or configuration of cover 900 is presented according to additional embodiments of the present disclosure.

It should be appreciated that the inner and outer layers of the cover may include multiple pieces of material. It should also be appreciated that the location, size and shape of the elastic band(s) and/or webbing may be modified to accommodate varying sizes bottles and golf club heads.

The foregoing is illustrative of the present invention and is not to be construed as limiting thereof. Although a few exemplary embodiments of this invention have been described, those skilled in the art will readily appreciate that many modifications are possible in the exemplary embodiments without materially departing from the teachings and advantages of this invention. Accordingly, all such modifications are intended to be included within the scope of this invention as defined in the claims. The invention is defined by the following claims, with equivalents of the claims to be included therein.

Claims

1. A dual-purpose bottle sleeve and golf head club cover comprising:

an outer layer of flexible material comprising an open end and a closed end;

an inner layer of flexible material attached proximate to the open end;

at least one elastic band of material attached to the inner layer and arranged to releasably secure any one or more of a bottle and a golf club head; and

a tightening mechanism proximate to the open end.

2. The dual-purpose bottle sleeve and golf club head cover of claim 1, wherein the outer layer comprises multiple pieces of material secured together.

3. The dual-purpose bottle sleeve and golf club head cover of claim 2, wherein the multiple pieces of material comprise any one or more of leather, pleather, felt, and neoprene.

4. The dual-purpose bottle sleeve and golf club head cover of claim 1, wherein the outer layer of flexible material is arranged to form a generally hollow cylindrical shape.

5. The dual-purpose bottle sleeve and golf club head cover of claim 1, wherein the open end is sized to form a generally circular shape having at least a 4 inch diameter.

6. The dual-purpose bottle sleeve and golf club head cover of claim 1, wherein the inner layer is attached proximate to the closed end.

7. The dual-purpose bottle sleeve and golf club head cover of claim 1, wherein the at least one elastic band is between 5 inches and 8 inches in un-stretched length.

8. The dual-purpose bottle sleeve and golf club head cover of claim 1, wherein the at least one elastic band comprises two elastic bands between 2.5 inches and 4 inches in un-stretched length.

9. The dual-purpose bottle sleeve and golf club head cover of claim 1, wherein the at least one elastic band is between 3 inches and 6 inches from the closed end.

10. The dual-purpose bottle sleeve and golf club head cover of claim 1, wherein the at least one elastic band is at least 4 inches from the closed end.

11. The dual-purpose bottle sleeve and golf club head cover of claim 1, wherein the tightening mechanism comprises a draw string enclosed within a hem formed proximate the open end and having at least one opening in the hem.

12. The dual-purpose bottle sleeve and golf head club cover of claim 1, further comprising one or more vertical elastic bands, wherein the vertical elastic bands extend from about the open end to about the at least one elastic band.

13. The dual-purpose bottle sleeve and golf head club cover of claim 12, wherein the one or more vertical elastic bands are integrated with the inner layer.

14. The dual-purpose bottle sleeve and golf head club cover of claim 12, wherein the one or more vertical elastic bands comprise four bands.

15. A dual-purpose bottle sleeve and golf head club cover comprising:

a cover body of flexible material having an open mouth and a closed end;

at least one elastic band having an un-stretched diameter less than the open mouth;

a hem proximate the open mouth comprising at least one opening, wherein the hem encloses a tightening mechanism to at least partially close the open mouth.

16. The dual-purpose bottle sleeve and golf club head cover of claim 15, wherein the at least one elastic band is attached to the cover body half-way between the open mouth and the closed end.

17. The dual-purpose bottle sleeve and golf club head cover of claim 15, wherein the at least one elastic band is at least 4 inches from the closed end.

18. The dual-purpose bottle sleeve and golf club head cover of claim 15, further comprising one or more vertical elastic bands, wherein the vertical elastic bands extend from about the open end to about the at least one elastic band.

19. A dual-purpose bottle sleeve and golf head club cover comprising:

an outer layer of flexible material comprising an open end and a closed end;

at least one elastic band of material having an un-stretched diameter less than the open end and arranged closer to the closed end to releasably secure any one or more of a bottle and a golf club head;

a tightening mechanism proximate to the open end to at least partially close the open end.

20. The dual-purpose bottle sleeve and golf club head cover of claim 19, wherein the tightening mechanism comprises a draw string enclosed within a hem formed proximate the open end and having at least one opening in the hem.