Private pockets

Abstract

Provided is an apparatus configured for (i) storing garments and (ii) positioning within an enclosure. The apparatus includes a carton having a plurality of compartments formed therein, the container being formed of two substantially parallel side walls, each being connectable to respective edges of two substantially parallel front and back walls, a bottom portion connectable to common edges of the side walls and the back walls. The apparatus also includes one or more middle walls configured for connecting between the sidewalls. Surfaces of each middle wall (i) are in parallel with surfaces of the front and back walls when connected between the sidewalls and (ii) form one side of two of the compartments. The container is configured for deformation only along a lengthwise direction within the enclosure, respective volumes of the plurality of compartments changing substantially simultaneously when the container deforms.

Description

I. FIELD OF THE INVENTION

The present invention relates to clothing item storage and organization. In particular, the present invention relates to organizing the storage of clothing items in storage containers, such as dresser drawers.

II. BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

Clothing items, such as undergarments, were worn as early as the 1800s as a means of warmth for women. They were often made of cotton and laced at the waist, and were thus lighter in weight than other types of clothing. Since then, undergarments have evolved for both men and women. For example, men's knickers were developed and transitioned into boxer shorts and briefs over time. Women's knickers evolved into panties beginning in the 1940s. Among other things, these developments resulted from evolutionary changes in fashion, when fewer layers of clothing became necessary due to modem indoor temperature control methods. Development of these garments created the need for their storage.

Historically, people began storing their clothing in large trunks. With undergarments now being lighter and less bulky today than historical times, they are usually stored in a dresser drawer. However, it's often difficult to organize garments, such as undergarments, neatly in a single dresser drawer.

For example, the chances of keeping these garments well organized are slim when using a drawer of a dresser that has no real means of separating different garments from each other. In fact, efforts to retrieve any one garment will more than likely disrupt organization of all of the other garments in the drawer. In other similar conventional approaches, stationary dividers have be used to divide these drawers into smaller sections. However, in this example, the entire stack of stored garments will be interrupted to retrieve a single garment.

III. SUMMARY OF EMBODIMENTS OF THE INVENTION

Given the aforementioned deficiencies, a need exists for clothing storage and organization methods and systems that provide for greater use of storage space and more efficient access to stored clothing items than the conventional systems.

Embodiments of the present invention provide storage compartments (i.e., private pockets) that simplify storage of multiple pairs of light garments, such as underwear and brassieres. The embodiments provide several interconnected compartments, or pockets, that hold and organize these garments until they are ready to be worn.

Under certain circumstances, embodiments of the present invention include an apparatus configured for (i) storing garments and (ii) positioning within an enclosure. The apparatus includes a carton having a plurality of compartments formed therein, the container being formed of two substantially parallel side walls, each being connectable to respective edges of two substantially parallel front and back walls, a bottom portion connectable to common edges of the side walls and the back walls.

The aforementioned apparatus also includes one or more middle walls configured for connecting between the sidewalls. Surfaces of each middle wall (i) are in parallel with surfaces of the front and back walls when connected between the sidewalls and (ii) form one side of two of the compartments. The container is configured for deformation only along a lengthwise direction within the enclosure, respective volumes of the plurality of compartments changing substantially simultaneously when the container deforms.

In one illustrious embodiment, the containers operate in an accordion style where the pockets are expendable to hold multiple sets of light clothing, such as undergarments. The storage pockets can be constructed of plastic, fabrics such as canvas, and can be made collapsible for easy storage or travel. As understood by one of skill in the art, the pockets can be provided in a variety of colors and patterns, such as animal or floral prints, and may be made with larger or smaller chambers to accommodate a variety of different needs.

In other embodiments, in addition to dresser drawers, the storage pockets can be constructed for use in suitcases, hotel rooms, California closets, under beds, car trunks for travel, and the like.

Further features and advantages of the invention, as well as the structure and operation of various embodiments of the invention, are described in detail below with reference to the accompanying drawings. It is noted that the invention is not limited to the specific embodiments described herein. Such embodiments are presented herein for illustrative purposes only. Additional embodiments will be apparent to persons skilled in the relevant art(s) based on the teachings contained herein.

IV. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

The accompanying drawings, which are incorporated herein and form part of the specification, illustrate the present invention and, together with the description, further serve to explain the principles of the invention and to enable a person skilled in the relevant art(s) to make and use the invention.

FIG. 1 is an illustration of a conventional storage system.

FIG. 2 is an illustration of a portable storage system constructed and arranged in accordance with embodiments of the present invention.

FIG. 3 is an alternative view of the illustration depicted in FIG. 2.

FIG. 4 is an illustration of the portable storage system depicted in FIG. 2 deployed in a drawer.

FIG. 5 is an illustration of the portable storage system depicted in FIG. 2 in use in accordance with the embodiments.

V. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF EMBODIMENTS OF THE INVENTION

While the present invention is described herein with illustrative embodiments for particular applications, it should be understood that the invention is not limited thereto. Those skilled in the art with access to the teachings provided herein will recognize additional modifications, applications, and embodiments within the scope thereof and additional fields in which the invention would be of significant utility.

As noted above, embodiments of the present invention provide storage compartments (i.e., private pockets) that simplify storage of multiple pairs of light garments, such as underwear and brassieres. The embodiments provide several interconnected compartments, or pockets, that hold and organize these garments until they are ready to be worn.

Flexible garment storage systems constructed in accordance with the embodiments can be used for multiple types of underwear type items, including sports/active wear type underwear, which can be worn during a workout. The accordion style pockets, constructed in accordance with one embodiment, allow for one pair of underwear to be stored in each pocket, in their own section. Each section can be labeled to allow for different types of a particular garment, such as underwear, to have their own section.

By way of example, and not limitation, sections can be tailored to accommodate classy, sexy, sporty and/or monthly oriented garments. When a decision is made that a certain type of garment is needed, a user would open the drawer and immediately noticed the section of particular garments they would need. Additionally, this type of partitioning would facilitate choosing any desirable color for style without disrupting any of the other stored garments.

FIG. 1 is an illustration of a conventional storage system 100, including a dresser drawer 102 having various clothing items, or garments 104, scattered about and stored therein. By way of example only, and not limitation, the garments 104 can include various light garments, such as socks or undergarments typically stored in drawers in a scattered arrangement.

FIG. 2 is an illustration of an exemplary portable storage system 200 constructed and arranged in accordance with embodiments of the present invention. The storage system 200 includes compartments, or pockets 202 for storage of light garments, such as undergarments, socks, or the like. Each of the pockets 202 is formed by combination of side portions 204a and 204b segmented by dividers, or wall portions 206. The side portions 204a and 204b are shaped to enable the pockets 202 and expand and collapse based upon the amount of garments stored therein.

In the exemplary storage system 200 the side portions 204a and 204b are shaped into an accordion configuration 208. However, other configurations (e.g., that would facilitate expansion and collapsing) are possible and would be within the spirit and scope of the present invention.

FIG. 3 is an alternative perspective view of the exemplary storage system 200 depicted in FIG. 2. In FIG. 2, storage of garments 300, of various shapes and sizes, can be accommodated within the pockets 202. Volumes of the compartments 202 change substantially simultaneously as the storage system 200 expands and collapses along a length wise direction LD, as depicted in FIG. 3. In the embodiments, the storage system 200 facilitates organization of drawers and eliminates clutter.

This system simplifies the process of searching and locating specific garments. The pockets 202 can also keep garments confined to a specific area within a drawer or, for example, a suitcase. When not in use, the storage system 202 can be completely collapsed down for convenient storage.

FIG. 4 is an illustration of the portable storage system 200 depicted in FIG. 2 positioned within the drawer 102 shown in FIG. 1. In FIG. 4, the storage system 200 can collapse or expand to maximize the available space within an area of width (W)×length (L) within the drawer 102.

FIG. 5 is an illustration of the portable storage system 200 depicted in FIG. 2 in use in accordance with the embodiments. As illustrated in FIG. 5, the expandable side portions 204a/204b of the storage system 200 are in an expanded state to maximize the available space within the drawer 102. In this expanded state, the garments 104 can be neatly stored within the drawer 102 or elsewhere. In the exemplary embodiment of FIG. 5, the garments 104 a neatly folded and stored within the individual pockets 202 in a highly organized manner.

In other embodiments, the storage system 200 can be constructed in different sizes and styles, for example, one or more styles for men and one or more styles for women. Additionally, other configurations could be constructed children′ featuring, for example, cartoon characters and/or bright colors for decor.

Yet other embodiments of the storage system 200 could be constructed features larger pockets 202 to organize socks, accessories, sports brassieres or other items appropriately sized to be stored in a dresser drawer, such as the drawer 102. A carrying case constructed, for example, of a material such as cloth can be made for transporting or carrying the storage 200, making it easier for the consumer while travelling.

CONCLUSION

The present invention has been described above with the aid of functional building blocks illustrating the implementation of specified functions and relationships thereof. The boundaries of these functional building blocks have been arbitrarily defined herein for the convenience of the description. Alternate boundaries can be defined so long as the specified functions and relationships thereof are appropriately performed.

For example, various aspects of the present invention can be implemented by software, firmware, hardware (or hardware represented by software such, as for example, Verilog or hardware description language instructions), or a combination thereof. After reading this description, it will become apparent to a person skilled in the relevant art how to implement the invention using other computer systems and/or computer architectures.

It is to be appreciated that the Detailed Description section, and not the Summary and Abstract sections, is intended to be used to interpret the claims. The Summary and Abstract sections may set forth one or more but not all exemplary embodiments of the present invention as contemplated by the inventor(s), and thus, are not intended to limit the present invention and the appended claims in any way.

Claims

1. An apparatus configured for (i) storing garments and (ii) positioning within an enclosure, comprising:

a carton having a plurality of compartments formed therein, the container being formed of two substantially parallel side walls, each being connectable to respective edges of two substantially parallel front and back walls, a bottom portion connectable to common edges of the side walls and the back walls; and

one or more middle walls configured for connecting between the sidewalls, surfaces of each middle wall (i) being in parallel with surfaces of the front and back walls when connected between the sidewalls and (ii) forming one side of two of the compartments;

wherein the container is configured for deformation only along a lengthwise direction within the enclosure, respective volumes of the plurality of compartments changing substantially simultaneously when the container deforms.

2. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the side walls and back walls having at least one common dimension.

3. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the deformation includes expanding and collapsing.

4. The apparatus of claim 3, wherein the deformation occurs in an accordion management.

5. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the enclosure including at least one of a dresser drawer, a suitcase, and a car trunk.

6. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the garments include undergarments.