US20110056855A1

US20110056855A1 - Plastic storage bags for moving clothing or other items with hanger in place

Info

Publication number: US20110056855A1
Application number: US12/685,469
Authority: US
Inventors: Barbara Ellen Joyiens; Diana L. Hicks
Original assignee: Individual
Current assignee: Individual
Priority date: 2009-09-07
Filing date: 2010-01-11
Publication date: 2011-03-10

Abstract

A container comprises a bag having an open end and a closed end, a slit generally centrally located at the closed end, two gussets located at the closed end for expansion of the bag, a plastic draw string at the open end, and lines imprinted on a face of each bag, where items on hangers can be placed inside the bag bringing the hangers to the top of the bag and through the slit, the draw string can be pulled taut and tied at the open end of the bag to secure the items on hangers, and the contents of the bag can be printed on the lines imprinted on the face of the bag.

Description

RELATED APPLICATIONS

The present application claims benefit of priority from U.S. Provisional Application No. 61/240,258, filed Sep. 7, 2009, which is incorporated herein by reference in its entirety.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

The present invention generally relates to a bag for moving or storing clothing or other items with a hanger in place.
When moving clothing from residence to residence, to storage, or the like, people typically use boxes with a metal rack, boxes with no racks, expensive storage bags with no hanging ability, or expensive garment bags with limited hangers.
As can be seen, there is a need for storage bags for moving clothing or other items with the hanger in place supporting the clothing.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

In one aspect of the present invention, a container comprises a bag having an open end and a closed end; a slit generally centrally located at the closed end; two gussets located at the closed end for expansion of the bag; a plastic draw string at the open end; and lines imprinted on a face of each bag; where items on hangers can be placed inside the bag bringing the hangers to the top of the bag and through the slit, the draw string can be pulled taut and tied at the open end of the bag to secure the items on hangers, and the contents of the bag can be printed on the lines imprinted on the face of the bag.
These and other features, aspects and advantages of the present invention will become better understood with reference to the following drawings, description and claims.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 shows a perspective view of an exemplary embodiment of the device according to the present invention.

FIG. 2 shows a top view of the exemplary embodiment of the device according to the present invention.

FIG. 3 shows a side view of the exemplary embodiment of the device according to the present invention.

FIG. 4 shows a front view of the exemplary embodiment of the device according to the present invention.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

The following detailed description is of the best currently contemplated modes of carrying out exemplary embodiments of the invention. The description is not to be taken in a limiting sense, but is made merely for the purpose of illustrating the general principles of the invention, since the scope of the invention is best defined by the appended claims.
Various inventive features are described below that can each be used independently of one another or in combination with other features.
Broadly, embodiments of the present invention generally provide containers for moving or storing clothing or other fabric with a hanger in place.
In an exemplary embodiment the device 10 can comprise an inexpensive modified three mil gauge contractor's bag 12 with a five inch slit 14 at the top, imprinted lines 16 to label the contents, and a bottom draw string 20 (FIG. 1).
In an embodiment, the instant bags 12 can use the plastic material typically used for contractor's disposal bags, and can have a reinforced plastic slit 14 (for example using double thick material around the perimeter of the slit) at the top (closed end) of the bag 12, expandable gussets at both sides of the top, and a plastic draw string 20 at the bottom (open end) to secure the clothing. The bags 12 can be supplied with ties 22 to secure the hangers 24 to one another, thus preventing a single hanger 24 from slipping into the bag 12. Each bag 12 can have about ten lines 16 imprinted on an outside face so the mover can list the contents of each bag 12.
In alternative embodiments the bag can be made using a variety of thicknesses and from alternative materials. The thickness and material are selected such that the bag is flexible enough to be fitted over garments easily, and is thick enough to avoid inadvertent tearing.
The device 10 can be supplied in bulk (for example, ten to a box), and the device 10 can be designed for the moving and storage of multiple garments. The user simply takes the garments from the closet (on existing hangers 24) and places the garments into a bag 12 (up to, for example, about ten garments per bag 12), ties the hangers together with the enclosed tie 22 (to prevent one or more slipping down into the bag 12), pulls the drawstring 20 at the bottom closed, and continues packing.
In exemplary embodiments the instant bags 12 can be provided in multiple sizes. The length of the bag 12 can range from about 40 to about 72 inches. In specific examples the bag 12 can be 72-inches, 60-inches, or 40-inches in length, about 21 inches in width, and about seven inches in depth. The bag 12 can have about a five-inch slit 14 at the top with the slit 14 surrounded by reinforced material, such as double-thick plastic, two gussets for expansion on both shoulders of the bag 12 at the closed end, and a plastic draw string 20 at the bottom to secure the garments. The drawstring 20 can be contained within a 1-inch folded-over slot 18 of plastic around the perimeter of the open end of the bag 12. Lines 16 can be imprinted on a face of each bag 12 that can be used to label the contents within (see FIG. 4). Each box can have ten typically about 12-inch ties 22 to secure the hangers 24 together. The three mil gauge plastic can be used for the bag 12 itself and the draw string 20 at the open end. The tie 22 can be used to secure the hangers 24 together at the closed end to prevent a garment from falling down in the bag 12.
In order to use the device the consumer can remove one device 10 from the box and place it on a surface. They then can remove up to about ten garments from their closet (with existing hangers 24) and place the garments inside the bag 12 bringing the hangers 24 to the top of the bag 12 and through the slit 14 at the top. They then can pull the draw string 20 taut at the bottom and tie the draw string 20. They can list the contents of the bag 12 on the lines 16 on the face of the bag 12. They then can take the device 10 to wherever they want to hang it, hang the hangers 24 up on the rack and remove the bag 12. This device 10 can save time, material, and space.
The device can be useful, for example, to move clothing from one location to another, to store clothing long term, or to travel with clothing without packing the clothing in suitcases, risking wrinkling. The three exemplary sizes are convenient—72-inch for gowns, robes, long coats—60-inch for dresses, suits, and slacks, and 40-inch for shirts, blouses, sweaters, children's clothing, and the like.
Alternatively the device can be used to move or store items on hangers other than garments, for example, tablecloths, draperies, towels, blankets, and the like.
It should be understood, of course, that the foregoing relates to exemplary embodiments of the invention and that modifications may be made without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention as set forth in the following claims.

Claims

1. A container comprising:

a bag having an open end and a closed end;

a slit generally centrally located at the closed end;

two gussets located at the closed end for expansion of the bag;

a plastic draw string at the open end; and

lines imprinted on a face of each bag;

where items on hangers can be placed inside the bag bringing the hangers to the top of the bag and through the slit, the draw string can be pulled taut and tied at the open end of the bag to secure the items on hangers, and the contents of the bag can be printed on the lines imprinted on the face of the bag.

2. The container of claim 1 where the device is suitable to move or store garments.

3. The container of claim 1 further comprising ties wherein the ties can be used to secure the hangers together.

4. The container of claim 1 where the bag is manufactured from three mil gauge plastic.

5. The container of claim 1 where the slit is five inches in length.

6. The container of claim 1 where the bag is seven inches in depth and 21 inches in width.

7. The container of claim 6 where the bag is about 40 to about 72 inches in length.

8. The container of claim 7 where the bag is 40 inches in length.

9. The container of claim 7 where the bag is 60 inches in length.

10. The container of claim 7 where the bag is 72 inches in length.