LOW-PROFILE TRANSPARENT STORAGE FOR SHOES

Abstract

A shoe container is provided as a low profile, transparent bag comprising rugged and flexible material defined by first and second layers each having opposing first and second straight edges, where the first and second straight edges are longitudinally and oppositely spaced by an arcuate bottom edge and straight top edge. The first and second sides and arcuate bottom edges may be permanently bonded, respectively, to one another, while the top edges define an opening to receive shoes between the layers. The top edges may be further configured to receive means for cinching the top edges in a closed position so that when shoes are received therethrough, they may be secured within the bag. In this manner, the bag may support the weight and possibly destructive shape of contained shoes, protect shoes from damage caused by exposure, protect surroundings from debris tracked by unworn shoes, and further permit unimpeded view of shoes.

Description

GOVERNMENT CONTRACT

Not applicable.

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

Not applicable.

STATEMENT RE. FEDERALLY SPONSORED RESEARCH/DEVELOPMENT

Not applicable.

COPYRIGHT & TRADEMARK NOTICES

A portion of the disclosure of this patent document may contain material that is subject to copyright protection. This patent document may show and/or describe matter that is or may become trade dress of the owner. The copyright and trade dress owner has no objection to the facsimile reproduction by any one of the patent document or the patent disclosure, as it appears in the Patent and Trademark Office patent files or records, but otherwise reserves all copyrights and trade dress rights whatsoever.

TECHNICAL FIELD

The disclosed subject matter relates generally to storage containers and, more particularly, to transparent bags formed to accommodate shoes and further permit display of such shoes while not being worn.

BACKGROUND

It has long been known that the size and shape of shoes pose particular problems when being stored in a stationary location or when being travelled with. The size of shoes varies widely, they often fail to fit efficiently in traditional travel cases, and, when soiled over the course of normal wear, are known to transfer debris to various surrounding articles. Moreover, various material comprising some shoes, such as leather, suede, and woven textile, may be particularly prone to damage from contact with surrounding articles.

Various solutions have been proposed. For instance, some people place shoes in recycled polyethylene bags such as those obtained from grocery stores, when they wish to store or travel with them. Some repurpose other household items, placing their shoes in zippered food storage bags or even elasticized shower caps. Some others still retain each and every container the shoes had been originally provided in so that such shoes may be stored in the original box when not worn. Dedicated shoe storage devices have even been suggested to ease travel and carrying of excess footwear. For instance, U.S. Pat. No. 1,997,637 to Gebelien teaches a soft textile zippered bag formed to accommodate a pair of shoes for the purpose of travel and storage. U.S. Pat. No. 2,609,897 to Seigfried, as another example, teaches a collapsible travel bag having a plurality of shoe pockets formed therein.

Suggestions for providing shoe storage and displaying stored shoes have also been provided. For example, U.S. Pat. No. 4,795,029 to Campbell teaches a transparent or tinted hinged and lockable container having a base with depressions sized and shaped to receive at least one shoe of a predetermined size and shape. U.S. Pat. No. 2,873,781 to Langley discloses a hanging shoe bag having elongated, transparent pockets include a closure strip to cover and protect portions of shoes extending upwardly from the pockets. U.S. Pat. No. 3,039,599 to Jacob teaches cylindrical, hanging bag for storing accessories and shoes. The bag has pockets made of thin transparent flexible sheets to improve visibility of the accessories and shoes.

All of the above suggestions, however, have been deficient. Indeed, some are weak and insufficiently formed for repeated use. Others are unsightly and obscure rather than display shoes contained therein. Still others are maladapted to store shoes both at home and during travel. Others, especially those formed as boxes and rigid containers, are difficult to store themselves when not being used to contain shoes.

Although various proposals have been made to solve the problem, none of those in existence combine the characteristics of the present invention. Therefore, there is a need for a low-profile and transparent bag configured to store and display shoes in various settings.

SUMMARY

The present disclosure is directed to a rugged container for holding shoes that is waterproof, washable, and reusable. More particularly, the container for holding shoes may be transparent to permit viewing shoes contained therein and further define a low profile permitting easily adaptable storage in a variety of settings.

For purposes of summarizing, certain aspects, advantages, and novel features have been described. It is to be understood that not all such advantages may be achieved in accordance with any one particular embodiment. Thus, the disclosed subject matter may be embodied or carried out in a manner that achieves or optimizes one advantage or group of advantages without achieving all advantages as may be taught or suggested.

A shoe container is provided as a low profile, transparent bag comprising rugged and flexible material defined by first and second layers each having opposing first and second straight edges. The first and second straight edges are longitudinally and oppositely spaced by an arcuate bottom edge and straight top edge. The first and second sides and arcuate bottom edges may be permanently bonded, respectively, to one another, while the top edges define an opening between the layers. The top edges may be further configured to receive means for cinching the top edges in a closed position so that when shoes are received therethrough, such shoes may be secured within the bag. In this manner, the bag may support the weight and possibly destructive shape of contained shoes, protect shoes from damage caused by exposure while not in use, and further permit unimpeded view of shoes contained therein.

Thus, it is an object of the invention to protect shoes from damage caused by exposure when not being worn.

It is another object of the invention to permit visible access to stored shoes.

It is yet another object of the invention to provide low profile means for storing and/or travelling with shoes where such means are adaptable to folding, bending, and other manipulation to fit in various settings.

It is even still another object of the invention to provide a low profile means for storing shoes that may, itself, be compactly stored when not in use to contain shoes.

One or more of the above-disclosed embodiments, in addition to certain alternatives, are provided in further detail below with reference to the attached figures. The disclosed subject matter is not, however, limited to any particular embodiment disclosed.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 shows a storage apparatus in use in accordance with one embodiment of the invention.

FIG. 2 shows a plan view of a storage apparatus in accordance with one embodiment of the invention.

FIG. 3 shows an exploded view of a storage apparatus in accordance with one embodiment of the invention.

FIG. 4 shows a perspective view of a storage apparatus in accordance with one embodiment of the invention.

The disclosed embodiments may be better understood by referring to the figures in the attached drawings, as provided below. The attached figures are provided as non-limiting examples for providing an enabling description of the apparatus claimed. Attention is called to the fact, however, that the appended drawings illustrate only typical embodiments of this invention and are therefore not to be considered as limiting of its scope. One skilled in the art will understand that the invention may be practiced without some of the details included in order to provide a thorough enabling description of such embodiments. Well-known structures and functions have not been shown or described in detail to avoid unnecessarily obscuring the description of the embodiments.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

Having summarized various aspects of the present disclosure, reference will now be made in detail to that which is illustrated in the drawings. While the disclosure will be described in connection with these drawings, there is no intent to limit it to the embodiment or embodiments disclosed herein. Rather, the intent is to cover all alternatives, modifications and equivalents included within the spirit and scope of the disclosure as defined by the appended claims.

With reference to FIG. 1, an embodiment of the storage container 10 having shoes 30 placed therein is shown in use in one possible setting. The storage container 10 may be flexible enough to bulge with the shape of such shoes 30 and avoid puncturing, stretching and tearing under the weight and possibly sharp elements of the shoes. Although shown hanging in a closet 40 among other articles commonly found therein, it is contemplated that the ruggedness and flexibility of the materials comprising the storage container 10 will enable users to place the storage container 10 in innumerable settings. For example, it may be placed in any of the drawers 50 drawn in the closet 40. Additionally, the storage container 10 may be placed in a suitcase or other travel bag among other travel articles. Indeed, the flexibility of the storage container 10 may ensure that users are able to save space by folding unoccupied portions of the bag when packing or placing it in drawers. This may be space efficient, leaving room for other items within a travel bag or drawer.

Additionally, transparency permits view of the shoes 30 contained within the storage container 10.

With reference to FIGS. 2 and 3, a low-profile storage 10 for shoes may comprise a first layer 12, a second layer 14. The first and second layers 12, 14 may comprise material chosen from any rugged and flexible material capable of being made transparent. For instance, in some embodiments, the first and second layers 12, 14 may comprise compositions of polypropelyne such as BOPP, vinyl such as PVC, and even polyurethane. Of course, one skilled in the art will recognize that various materials are available in the marketplace, and interchangeable with those listed, which are rugged, flexible, and transparent to permit repeated use—including bending, folding, and washing—and further permit view of any contents within.

Returning to FIGS. 2 and 3, the first and second layers 12, 14 may each have a first side 16 and a second side 18 longitudinally spaced from one another by a top edge 20, and a bottom edge 22. In some embodiments, it is contemplated that the first and second sides 16, 18 may be parallel to one another. It is further contemplated that the bottom edge 22 may be arcuate.

The first and second sides 16, 18, and bottom edge 22 respective to each of the first and second layers 12, 14 may be permanently bonded to each of those of the other layer. In this manner, the first and second layers 12, 14 may be connected to one another to define a closed end. In some embodiments, the first and second sides 16, 18, and bottom edge 22 may be bonded respectively to those of the the opposing first or second layer 12, 14 using threaded stitching. For example, FIGS. 2 and 3 illustrate a running stitch 24 applied to the perimeter of the first and second layers 12, 14. In other embodiments, the first and second sides 16, 18, and bottom edge 22 may be bonded respectively to those of the the opposing first or second layer 12, 14 using glue or other adhesive. It should be noted, however, that any product configured to inseparably bond the two layers to one another is contemplated and the foregoing are offered by way of example only, not of limitation.

Because the container may comprise first and second layers 12, 14 as sheets, the bonded layers define a container having a low-profile. It is contemplated that providing a container having such low profile will permit a user to store an unoccupied storage container 10 with little difficulty. For instance, and with reference to FIG. 4, the storage container 10 may be rolled to define the shape of a compact tube. Alternatively, an unoccupied storage container 10 may be efficiently stacked with others similarly unoccupied. Still others may be easily and compactly folded to fit in small spaces. Thus, one skilled in the art will recognize that users will have no difficulty space-efficiently storing any storage containers 10 that are not in use.

Returning to FIGS. 2 and 3, the top edges 20 of each of the first and second layers 12, 14 remain unbonded to one another so that the top edges 20 define an opening sized to receive at least one pair of shoes between the first and second layers 12.

Finally, means for adjustably cinching the opposite top edges 20 to maintain any shoes contained between the layers 12, 14 may also be provided. In one embodiment, such means may comprise a drawstring 26 threaded through openings 28 defined by folding over and stitching portions of the opposite top edges 20. It is contemplated that providing means for adjustably cinching the opposite top edges 20 may allow a user to alternatively and flexibly accommodate shoes of different sizes and shapes within the same storage container 10. That is, because the top edges 20 may be adjustably cinched, it may be possible to open or close the storage container 10 to achieve a smaller or larger volume, defined by the first and second layers 12, 14, as needed given a particular pair of shoes for storing. Additionally, as illustrated in FIG. 1, it is contemplated that providing a means for adjustably cinching the opposite top edges 20 as a drawstring 26 may provide users with additional options for placing the storage container 10. Here, in particular, an embodiment of the occupied storage container 10 is shown hanging in a closet 40 from the drawstring 26.

Of course, one skilled in the art will recognize that means other than a drawstring may be used to adjustably cinch the top edges of the storage container, and further, where a drawstring is used, such drawstring may be comprise a variety of materials and dimensions without departing from the invention.

It should be emphasized that the above-described embodiments are merely examples of possible implementations. Many variations and modifications may be made to the above-described embodiments without departing from the principles of the present disclosure. All such modifications and variations are intended to be included herein within the scope of this disclosure and protected by the following claims.

Moreover, embodiments and limitations disclosed herein are not dedicated to the public under the doctrine of dedication if the embodiments and/or limitations: (1) are not expressly claimed in the claims; and (2) are or are potentially equivalents of express elements and/or limitations in the claims under the doctrine of equivalents.

CONCLUSIONS, RAMIFICATIONS, AND SCOPE

While certain embodiments of the invention have been illustrated and described, various modifications are contemplated and can be made without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention. For example, although transparent, it is contemplated that the low-profile transparent container may be tinted with various colored dyes and even partially covered with opaque, aesthetic designs. Accordingly, it is intended that the invention not be limited, except as by the appended claim(s).

The teachings disclosed herein may be applied to other systems, and may not necessarily be limited to any described herein. The elements and acts of the various embodiments described above can be combined to provide further embodiments. All of the above patents and applications and other references, including any that may be listed in accompanying filing papers, are incorporated herein by reference. Aspects of the invention can be modified, if necessary, to employ the systems, functions and concepts of the various references described above to provide yet further embodiments of the invention.

Particular terminology used when describing certain features or aspects of the invention should not be taken to imply that the terminology is being refined herein to be restricted to any specific characteristics, features, or aspects of the low-profile transparent container with which that terminology is associated. In general, the terms used in the following claims should not be constructed to limit the low-profile transparent container to the specific embodiments disclosed in the specification unless the above description section explicitly define such terms. Accordingly, the actual scope encompasses not only the disclosed embodiments, but also all equivalent ways of practicing or implementing the disclosed apparatus. The above description of embodiments of the low-profile transparent container is not intended to be exhaustive or limited to the precise form disclosed above or to a particular field of usage.

While specific embodiments of, and examples for, the apparatus are described above for illustrative purposes, various equivalent modifications are possible for which those skilled in the relevant art will recognize.

While certain aspects of the apparatus disclosed are presented below in particular claim forms, various aspects of the apparatus are contemplated in any number of claim forms. Thus, the inventor reserves the right to add additional claims after filing the application to pursue such additional claim forms for other aspects of the low-profile transparent container.

Claims

1. A bag for containing a pair of shoes, comprising:

a transparent first and second layer, each of the first and second layers having parallel first and second edges longitudinally spaced by an arcuate bottom edge and a straight top edge;

the opposite first, second, and bottom edges permanently and respectively bonded via threaded stitching to one another to define a closed bottom end;

the opposite top edges defining an opening to receive at least one pair of shoes between the first and second layers; and

means for adjustably cinching the opposite top edges to maintain any shoes contained between the layers.

2. The bag of claim 1, wherein the first and second layers comprise sheets of biaxially oriented polypropylene.

3. The bag of claim 1, wherein the first and second layers comprise sheets of polyurethane.