Note: Descriptions are shown in the official language in which they were submitted.
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GARM ENT CARRIER
Field of the Invention
The present invention relates to a garment carrier for carrying a garment and,
in
particular, for carrying a garment having sleeves.
Background
Many garments become creased when they are folded for travel (e.g. into a
suitcase). Garment bags exist for carrying garments in suitcases, however, the
garment
bags are typically bulky, taking up a large amount of space in a suitcase, and
do not
adequately prevent creasing of garments.
It would be desirable to provide a garment carrier that substantially avoids
creasing
of garments.
Summary of the Invention
The present invention provides a garment carrier for carrying a garment having
sleeves, comprising:
a garment support; and
a sleeve support positionable over the garment support in use to hold the
garment
between the garment support and sleeve support to maintain a fold in the
garment between
each shoulder of the garment and a neck region of the garment, so that
portions of the
sleeves extend from respective shoulders in divergent directions.
In some embodiments, the sleeve support has edges about which outer parts of
the
sleeves can be folded back over the sleeve support. Those edges of the sleeve
support
may be mutually divergent so as to extend in use substantially perpendicularly
across each
sleeve so that the sleeves can be folded about those edges to extend towards
the
shoulders. In so doing, the sleeves in effect fold back upon themselves around
the edges of
the sleeve support.
In some embodiments, the sleeve support has a central limb and a pair of
divergent
arms defining the edges.
In some embodiments, the sleeve support is hinged to the garment support. This
enables the sleeve support to pivot from an open condition in which, for
example, a garment
can be laid on the garment support, and a closed condition to hold the garment
between the
sleeve support and garment support.
In some embodiments the garment carrier further comprises a trouser support
positionable over the sleeve support, in use to hold trousers between the
sleeve support and
the trouser support. The trouser support may be capable of being arranged to
enable a tail
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part of the garment to be folded back over the trousers to retain the trouser
within the folded
garment.
The present invention also provides a garment carrier for carrying a garment
having
sleeves, comprising:
a garment support; and
a sleeve support positionable over the garment support to hold the garment
between
the garment support and sleeve support, the sleeve support comprising a
central limb and a
pair of arms about which sleeves of the garment are folded in use.
Some embodiments of the invention control the folding of the sleeves of the
garment
between the neck region and shoulders of the garment so as to avoid creating a
fold through
the shoulder of the garment.
Brief Description of the Drawings
Preferred embodiments of the present invention will now be described by way of
non-
limiting example only, with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which:
Figure 1 shows a garment carrier in accordance with the present invention in
an open
condition;
Figure 2 shows an exploded view of a garment carrier without garment and
closing
flaps;
Figures 3 to 16 show progressive steps in a method for using the garment
carrier of
Figure 1;
Figure 17 is a exploded view of an alternative embodiment of a garment
carrier;
Figure 18 provides various views of the garment carrier of Figure 17 when in a
closed
condition; and
Figure 19 provides various views of the garment carrier of Figure 17 when in
an open
condition.
Detailed Description
The garment carrier described herein is designed to reduce or avoid wrinkles
and
creases being formed in garments during travel and storage. In some
embodiments the
garment carrier may comprise an insulating outer fabric sleeve (potentially
including flaps
that enclose the garment in the garment carrier). In some embodiments the
garment carrier
may include a rigid floor (also referred to as a "garment support" or the
"base" or "planar
sheet" of a garment support). In some embodiments the garment carrier may
include a
protective acrylic lid or "trouser support". That trouser support may include
a polycarbonate
"clear window'. In some embodiments the garment support includes a hinged T-
bar or
"sleeve support". In some embodiments, every relevant surface is designed to
eliminate
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creases and wrinkle forming conditions, including the rounding of all edges
that could come
into contact with the garment when the garment carrier is in use.
Embodiments of a garment carrier 100 are described herein, for carrying a
garment
having sleeves 12. The garment carrier 100 comprises a garment support 14 and
a
5 sleeve support 16 positionable over the garment support 14. In use, the
sleeve support 16
holds the garment 10 between the garment support 14 and sleeve support 16.
The sleeve support 16 maintains a fold in the garment 10 between each shoulder
18
of the garment 10 and a neck region 20 of the garment 10. In this
configuration, portions 22
of the sleeves 12 extend from respective shoulders 18 in divergent directions.
In other
10 words, once the garment 10 has been positioned on the garment support 14
and the sleeve
support 16 has been positioned over the garment support 14, the sleeves 12
extend away
from the shoulders 18 in mutually divergent directions.
The sleeves 12 can then be folded back over the sleeve support 16. Once folded
over the sleeve support 16, a portion of each sleeve 12, extending towards the
respective
cuff 24 of each sleeve 12, extends back towards the respective shoulder 18 of
the garment
10.
Figure 1 shows a garment carrier 100 for carrying a suit jacket 10 and a pair
of
trousers 26. The garment carrier 100 comprises a garment support 14 and sleeve
support
16. The garment carrier 100 further comprises members, presently flaps 28, 30,
for
enclosing a folded garment.
The garment carrier 100 is in an open condition in which a garment 10 can be
folded
into the garment carrier 100. The garment carrier 100 also has a closed
condition (see
Figure 14) in which a garment 10 is substantially enclosed within the garment
carrier 100.
The garment support 14 comprises a substantially rectangular and planar sheet
15
having an inner surface, upon which to position a garment 10. An outer surface
of the
garment support 14 forms the back of the garment carrier 100 when the garment
carrier 100
is in a closed condition.
The garment support 14 includes a cross-bar or clip 32 for engaging with a
trouser
support 68. The cross-bar or clip 32 is attached at a long edge of the planar
sheet 15. The
cross-bar or clip 32 protrudes substantially perpendicularly inwardly of the
planar sheet.
The cross-bar or clip 32 comprises ends 34 under which part of the trouser
support
68 is received to hold the trouser support 68 to the garment support 14. To
facilitate
retention of the trouser support 68, the ends 34 are concave.
The concave ends 34 of the cross-bar or clip 32 have elongate tabs 36 that
ensure
the trouser support 68 maintains tight engagement with the sleeve support 16.
Inwardly of
the elongate tabs 36, the concave ends 34 taper to a recess 38. The sleeve
support 16 is
hinged to the cross-bar or clip 32 in the recess 38. It will be appreciated
that the sleeve
support 16 may be attached elsewhere on the garment support 14.
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The garment support 14, including cross-bar or clip 32, can be formed from
neoprene
though other rigid or semi-rigid plastics, and other materials generally, may
be used as
appropriate.
The sleeve support 16 has a central limb 40 and a pair of divergent arms 42.
The
pair of arms 42 form opposite ends of a bar 44. The bar 44 extends generally
across the top
of the central limb 32. The sleeve support 16 is hinged to the garment support
14 by a hinge
pin 46 (see Figure 2) so as to be pivotal between an open condition as shown,
in which a
garment 10 can be positioned on the garment support 14, and a closed condition
(see
Figure 7).
The central limb 40 is formed from a flat, broad strip of polycarbonate. The
strip
tapers from its widest point at which the bar 44 meets the limb 40, to its
narrowest point at
which the strip is hinged to the garment support 14.
The bar 44 includes a central straight portion 48 under which a trouser
support 68 is
received. In particular, the broad hook 72 of the trouser support 68 is
received under the
central straight portion 48. The central straight portion 48 includes a
depression 50. The
depression 50 can be used both to facilitate locating the trouser support 68
under the sleeve
support 16 as discussed below. The depression 50 may also act as a handle by
which to
grasp the sleeve support 16 to pivot it into the open condition.
Integrally formed with the straight portion 48 are the arms 42. The arms 42
extend at
an angle to the straight portion 48, so that the arms extend substantially
perpendicularly
across sleeves 12 of the garment 10 when the sleeve support 16 is in the
closed condition.
Since the sleeves 12 diverge from the shoulders of the garment 10, the arms 42
are angled
slightly rearwardly (i.e. towards the cross-bar 32) so as to lie
perpendicularly across the
sleeves 12. The arms 42 may consequently extend at any appropriate angle,
though
presently an obtuse angle has been used. The arms 42 may also be hinged to the
central
straight portion 48 so as to enable the angle of the arms 42 relative to the
central straight
portion 48 to be adjusted.
The arms 42 are narrower than the straight portion 48 to afford gripping of
the arms
42 when pivoting the sleeve support 16 to the closed condition. The arms 42
meet the
straight portion 48 at smooth curves so that no sharp edges are presented to
the garment 10
when it is folded into the garment carrier 100.
The garment support 14 has two pairs of flaps 52, 54. The flaps 52, 54 fold
over a
garment 10 that has been folded into the garment carrier 100, to enclose the
garment 10.
Flaps 52 extend from opposite (long) sides of the garment support 14. As shown
in Figure
1, the flaps 52 extend from opposite (long) sides of the substantially planar
sheet 15 of the
garment support 14. Flaps 52 are substantially rectangular in shape. The flaps
52 have a
length that is substantially the same as the length of the planar sheet 15. A
long edge of
each rectangular flap 52 is co-extensive with a respective long edge of the
planar sheet 15.
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The long edge of each rectangular flap 52 is attached to the respective long
edge of the
planar sheet 15. The opposite long edge of each flap 52 (i.e. the long edge
that is not
attached to the planar sheet 15) has rounded corners. When the garment carrier
100 is in
an open condition as shown, the flaps 52 fold back so that the flaps 52,
together with the
planar sheet 15, can be laid substantially flat on a surface.
Of the flaps 52, 54, flaps 52 are the first to be folded over a garment 10
that has been
folded into the garment carrier 100. One of the flaps 52 is foldable in use
over the neck
region 20 and shoulders 18 of the garment.
Flaps 52 fold into engagement with each other. To that end, one of the flaps
52 is
provided with a tab 62 covered with hooks or loops of a hook and loop fastener
system, and
the other of the flaps 52 is provided with a patch of the corresponding hooks
or loops on an
outer surface. The hooks engage the loops to hold the flaps 52 in engagement.
Other means or arrangements may be provided to secure flaps 52 together. For
example, no tab 62 need be provided. Instead the outer surface of the
respective flap 52
could include a similar patch of hooks or loops. However, a tab 62 will save
using excess
material that would otherwise extend from either side of the tab 62 the extent
of the long
edge of the flap 52.
It will be appreciated that any appropriate engagement system may be used in
place
of hooks and loops, or no engagement system at all since flaps 54 will
ultimately be brought
over, and connected to, the folded flaps 52.
The garment carrier 100 further includes one or more garment protecting wings
or
tabs 56. The wings or tabs 56 are located at the corners of each flap 52 where
the
respective flap 52 meets the planar sheet 15. Each wing or tab 56 is a rounded
projection
extending outwardly from a short edge of the flap 52. Each wing or tab 56 lies
in the same
plane as the remainder of the respective generally rectangular flap 52.
When the garment 10 has been folded into the garment carrier 100, and the
flaps 52
are brought over the garment 10, the wings or tabs 56 ensure that corner
portions of the
folded garment 10 do not protrude from the garment carrier 100 in a manner
that would
leave them exposed during transit.
On an outer surface of each flap 52 are half of the teeth 60 of a zipper
(shown in
broken line as Figure 1 shows the inner surface of the flaps 52 rather than
the outer surface
¨ discussed a detail below). The teeth 60 of the zipper are attached to the
respective flap 52
by stitching which is visible on the inner surface of the flap 52 as shown.
Flaps 54 are substantially triangular in shape and extend from opposite
(short) sides
of the garment support 14. As shown in Figure 1, the flaps 54 extend from
opposite (short)
sides of the substantially planar sheet 15 of the garment support 14. The
outer apex of each
flap 54 is rounded.
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Rows of zipper teeth 66 extend from the corners of the flaps 54 at which the
flaps 54
meet the sheet 15, to a point where the edge of the respective flap 54 begins
to round
around the outer apex. The rows of teeth 66 are attached at an edge of the
respective flap
54, though they may alternatively be attached to an inner surface of the flap
54 near the
edge thereof.
Rows of teeth 66 engage with respective rows of teeth 60 on the flaps 52 to
hold
flaps 52, 54 together when the garment carrier 100 is in a closed condition
(see Figure 14).
The rows of teeth 60, 66 extend from the substantially planar sheet 15
generally
perpendicularly outwardly. The rows of teeth 60, 66 then curve inwardly to
extend, when
folded around a garment 10, towards a centre of the folded garment 10 as shown
in Figures
13 and 14. As the pull tab of the zipper is actuated, it progresses up the
corner edges of the
folded garment 10. The pull tab then, due to the curve in the rows of zipper
teeth 60, 66,
progresses inwardly to join the flaps 52, 54 together up to a point near the
respective outer
apexes of the substantially triangular flaps 54.
The pull tab of the zipper may be positioned on either flap 52, 54 to enable
zipper
teeth 60, 66 on one flap 52, 54 to be connected to zipper teeth 60, 66 on the
other flap 54,
52 in a standard zipper retainer box. Alternatively, the pull tab of the
zipper may be
connected to both sets of teeth 60, 66. In this case the corresponding
standard zipper
bottom stop located will be generally at a corner of the substantially planar
sheet 15 when
the garment carrier 100 is in an open condition.
The flaps 52, 54 are formed from neoprene, though any other material may be
used
as appropriate.
It will be appreciated that various shapes of flap may be used to enclose or
enfold the
garment 10. To this end the garment carrier 100 may comprise one or more flaps
foldable
so as to substantially enclose the folded garment 10.
With the exception of cross-bar or clip 32, the garment support 14 can be
formed
from a single substantially flat piece of material (e.g. neoprene, or a
combination or multi-
layered material such as a moulded EVA base with a fabric or foam upper that
contacts the
garment) that has been lightly stamped to create fold lines at edges of the
sheet 15. It will
be appreciated that any other production method can be used as appropriate.
The garment carrier further includes a trouser support 68 positionable over
the
sleeve support 16, to hold trousers 76 between the sleeve support 16 and the
trouser
support 68. The trouser support 68 comprises a substantially flat upper panel
70. The panel
70 is substantially rectangular and along a long side of the panel 70 is a
broad hook 72
receivable under the sleeve support 16. Along the opposite long side is a lip
74 (described
below).
Once the sleeve support 16 is in a closed condition and the sleeves 12 of a
garment
10 have been folded about the sleeve support 16 as discussed hereafter,
trousers 76 are
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laid on top of the folded sleeves 12. The trouser support 68 is then brought
into engagement
with the sleeve support 16 and/or cross-bar or clip 32 as discussed below. In
so doing, the
trouser support 68 holds a portion of the trousers 76 against the sleeves 12
such that the
trousers 76 can be folded back over the trouser support 68.
By arranging the trousers 76 and trouser support 68 over the garment 10 and
sleeve
support 16 is described herein, the trouser support 68 enables a tail part of
the garment 10
to be folded back over the trousers 76 to retain the trousers 76 within the
folded garment 10.
The substantially flat upper panel 70 of the trouser support 68 comprises a
clear
window 101. The clear window 101 is for aesthetic reasons only, but may be
used to carry
instructions, branding, warranty and/or other information. The substantially
flat upper panel
70 has a generally rectangular shape though the skilled person will appreciate
that other
shapes may be used for the upper panel 70.
Broad hook 72 hooks underneath the sleeve support 16 to assist with holding
the
trouser support 68 to the sleeve support 16. The broad hook 72 also spaces the
sleeve
support 16 away from the planar sheet 15. This spacing effect ensures that the
sleeve
support 16 does not crush the body of the garment 10 once the garment 10 has
been folded
into the garment carrier 100.
When the trouser support 68 is in place, and the garment carrier 100 is
closed, the
trouser support 68 fixes the relative positions of the sheet 15, sleeve
support 16 and trouser
support 68. In so doing, a solid cavity is formed which protects the parts of
the garment 10
contained therein (e.g. sleeves 12, shoulders 18 and trouser waist area).
Once broad hook 72 has been hooked underneath the sleeve support 16, the
trouser
support 68 is rotated about the hook 72 to bring lip 74 into engagement with
cross-bar or clip
32. In so doing, the trouser support 68 can be configured to positively engage
with one of
both of the garment support 14 and sleeve support 16. While lip 74 may simply
rest against
the cross-bar or clip 32, it is preferred that lip 74 be provided with a
protrusion at either end
of an inner surface of the lip 74. In this case, the protrusions may be
received in respective
concave ends 34 of the cross-bar or clip 32. Thus the lip 74, with its
protrusions, together
with the cross-bar or clip 32 form a clasp for positively retaining the
trouser support 68 on
the garment support 14. While the protrusions are not shown, the skilled
person will
appreciate how they can be formed onto or into the lip 74 and that it may be
advantageous
for the protrusions to have a shape that conforms with the shape of the
concave ends 34: for
example, a convex shape.
Figure 2 shows an exploded view of the garment carrier 100 of Figure 1, with
flaps
52, 54 removed. It will be appreciated that flaps 52, 54 may be formed with
the flat sheet 15
as discussed above, or may alternatively be clipped or otherwise connected to
the sides of
flat sheet 15.
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A long one long edge of flat sheet 15 is a series of equally spaced holes 78.
At or
near either end of the series of holes 78, along each short side of the flat
sheet 15, is a
notch 80. The holes 78 are for receiving small protrusions (not shown) on an
underside of
the cross-bar or clip 32 thereby to hold the cross-bar or clip 32 to the flat
sheet 15. The small
protrusions may be adhered, ultrasonically welded, or otherwise attached to
the flat sheet 15
in the holes 78. Alternatively, rivets may extend through the holes 78 and
into the cross-bar
or clip 32 to hold the cross-bar or clip 32 to the flat sheet 15. It will be
appreciated that any
other suitable connection system may be used.
At opposite ends of the cross-bar or clip 32 are lugs (not shown) receivable
in the
notches 80 to locate the cross-bar or clip 32 on the sheet 15.
The cross-bar or clip 32 is formed in two parts or halves as shown. One of the
parts
has a protrusion 81 that is received in an aperture 82 in the other of the
parts to hold the two
parts together.
The central limb 40 of the sleeve support 16 is formed separately from the bar
44.
The central limb 40 is formed from a clear polycarbonate material though any
other material
may be used. At the narrow end of the central limb 40 the polycarbonate
material has been
folded over to form a tunnel 84.
A hinge pin 46 is received in the tunnel 84 of the central limb 40. The hinge
pin 46 is
slightly longer than the tunnel 84 so that opposite ends of the hinge pin 46
extend out
opposite ends of the tunnel 84. The opposite ends of the hinge pin 46 are
received in
apertures 86 in the two halves of the cross-bar or clip 32. When the two
halves of the cross-
bar or clip 32 are brought together as discussed above, the hinge pin 46 is
trapped between
the two halves of the cross-bar or clip 32, thereby holding sleeve support 16
pivotally to the
cross-bar or clip 32.
The hinge pin 46 is made from metal though any other rigid material may be
used.
The bar 44 of the sleeve support 16 is formed in two longitudinal halves 88.
Each of
the halves 88 includes a peripheral upstanding edge 90. The peripheral
upstanding edge 90
extends around the entire peripheral edge of the respective half 88 with the
exception for a
gap 92. When the two halves 88 of the bar 44 are brought together the gaps 92
together
form an aperture into which the broad end of the central limb 40 extends. At
the broad end of
the central limb 40 are various lugs for preventing the central limb 40 from
pulling out of the
aperture formed by the gaps 92.
In addition, halves 88 of the bar 44 have cooperating fasteners, presently
press stud
fasteners 94, for holding the two halves 88 together. One of the press stud
fasteners 94 is
positioned in the middle of the central straight portion 48 of the bar 44 and
connects the two
halves 88 through an aperture 96 in the middle of the central limb 40. Thus
the central limb
is prevented from being retracted out from between the two halves 88.
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Trouser support 68 is formed in three parts: a frame member 98 a clear
polycarbonate window 101 and a broad hook 72.
The clear polycarbonate window 101 is substantially rectangular and planar,
and is
clipped, adhered or otherwise connected to the frame member 98.
The frame member 98 includes a large central opening. When the clear
polycarbonate window 101 is attached to the frame member 98 it creates a clear
window
through the trouser support 68.
The frame member 98 is pressed out of a sheet of material to form a frame
around
the opening through which the clear polycarbonate window is visible, and has
opposite
rounded long edges. One of the long edges comprises the aforementioned lip 74
and has
tabs 102 at opposite ends preventing the trouser support 68 from sliding
longitudinally off the
cross-bar or clip 32. The tabs 102 extend substantially perpendicularly to
both the clear
polycarbonate window 101 and longitudinal direction of extension of the lip
74.
The other of the long edges of the frame member 98 is shaped and arranged to
attach to the broad hook 72. At present the broad hook 72 is attached to the
frame member
98 by an adhesive though any other means or system for connection may be used.
The broad hook 72 includes reinforcing ribs 104 that serve to stiffen the
broad hook
72. When the trouser support 68 is in use, the ribs 104 bear against central
straight portion
48 of the bar 44. At opposite ends of the broad hook 72 and opposite ends of
the
corresponding long edge of the frame member 98 are tabs 106 similar to tabs
102 of the lip
74.
Most or all of the parts of the garment carrier 100 may be formed from
neoprene, soft
or hard plastics, rigid or semi-rigid plastics or any other material as
appropriate. Therefore,
where materials (e.g. rigid plastics) have been specified it will be
appreciated that the
function and purpose of the material is important, rather than necessarily the
specific type of
material stated herein, and that a skilled person may be able to identify
other materials able
to achieve the same purpose. Those other materials are intended to fall within
the scope of
the present disclosure.
In this regard, neoprene has been stated as a desirable material for some
parts of
the garment carrier 100. It will be appreciated that the type of material
should be selected to
suit the application of the garment carrier 100 (e.g. storing in a shop or
international
shipping) and prevailing environmental conditions. For example, neoprene has
been
selected due to its ability to reduce the impact of temperature changes and
humidity on the
internal cavity of the garment carrier 100 in which the garment 10 is
positioned.
The skilled person will also appreciate that parts of the garment carrier 100
that have
been given specific shapes in the embodiment described herein, may in fact
have an
alternative shape provided the function of the respective part is maintained.
For example,
sleeve support 16 may have a substantially triangular shape with bulges or
similar received
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over the shoulders (i.e. not T-shaped). In this case, the bulges or similar
may conform to the
folded shape of the shoulders.
A method of using the garment carrier 100 will now be described by reference
to
Figures 3 to 16, which show progressive stages in the folding of the garment
10 into the
garment carrier 100, the folding of the garment carrier 100 about the garment
10, and the
positioning of the folded assembly into a suitcase 108.
The garment carrier 100 is shown in Figure 3 in an open condition. In this
embodiment, instructions for folding a garment, presently suit jacket 10, are
printed onto the
inner surface of the planar sheet 15. The instructions guide the user of the
garment carrier
100 in the folding of the garment 10 thereinto.
After unpacking the garment carrier 100, such as during first use of the
garment
carrier 100, the trouser support 68 will be in position on the sleeve support
16. As shown in
Figure 4, to remove the trouser support 68 the lip 74 is first disengaged from
the cross-bar or
clip 32 by pivoting the trouser support 68 about the hook 72 in the direction
of arrow A. The
hook 72 of the trouser support 68 is then slid out from underneath the bar 44
of the sleeve
support 16 in the direction of arrow B.
Once the trouser support 68 has been removed, the sleeve support 16 can be
pivoted back away from the planar sheet 15 in the direction of arrow C as
shown in Figure 3.
With the sleeve support 16 out of the way, a garment 10 may now be positioned
on
the planar sheet 15 as shown in Figure 5. Since the garment 10 is presently a
suit jacket, it
must first be buttoned as indicated by arrows D. Buttoning the garment 10
ensures it does
not crumple before or during folding of the garment 10 into the garment
carrier 100, and
during folding of the garment carrier 100 about the garment 10. The garment 10
is then laid
face down on the planar sheet 15 such that the neck region 20 is positioned
near or in
abutment with the narrow end of the central limb 40 of the sleeve support 16
or cross-bar or
clip 32 as indicated by arrow E.
Shoulders 18 of the garment 10 are then folded inwardly as shown in the
instructions
on the planar sheet 15 and as indicated by arrows F. The fold is thus created
between the
shoulders 18 and the neck region 20 as shown in Figure 6. The fold will
typically extend from
at or near the collar of the garment 10 to the join between the sleeve 12 and
a flank or side
of the garment 10 (i.e. in the armpit of the jacket 10). The sleeves 12 extend
from respective
shoulders 18 in divergent directions. The sleeves 12 together with neck region
20, give the
garment 10 a fold in the shape of a Delta (i.e. the jacket has a
characteristic "Delta-fold").
Such a Delta-fold as described herein substantially reduces the likelihood of
creasing
in shoulder regions of suit jackets. The shoulder regions of suit jackets are
where creases
have been traditionally unavoidable except by hanging the jacket up during
transit, which is
often not possible (e.g. it would not be possible in an overhead luggage rack
in a plane or
when in a suitcase).
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The garment carrier 100 has been especially designed to maintain the Delta-
fold by
providing a sleeve support 16. As discussed above, the sleeve support 16
includes a central
limb 40 that pivotally connects to the garment support 14 near where the neck
region 20 of
the garment 10 will be positioned on the garment support 14. Thus with
pivoting of the
sleeve support 16 as shown in Figure 7, the central limb 40 holds, pins or
otherwise retains
the neck region 20 against the planar sheet 15. The sleeve support 16 thereby
also extends
down the back of the garment 10 between the shoulders 18.
In this position, the bar 44 of the sleeve support 16 extends across the back
of the
garment 10, under the shoulders 18, and over the sleeves 12 to hold the
sleeves such that
the Delta-fold is maintained. It will be noted that the sleeve support 16 lies
perpendicularly
across the sleeves 12. Consequently, though further folds are made in the
garment 10 to
reduce its size for transit, and the garment carrier 100 is folded about the
folded garment 10,
the Delta shape formed by the neck region 20, shoulders 18 and sleeves 12 is
maintained.
Once the sleeve support 16 is in position as shown in Figure 7, outer parts of
the
sleeves 12 can be folded back over the sleeve support 16. To achieve this, the
sleeves 12
are folded about edges 110 (see Figure 2) of the sleeve support 16 as
indicated by arrows H
as shown in Figure 8.
The edges 110 of the sleeve support 16 are mutually divergent so as to extend
in use
substantially perpendicularly across each sleeve 12 so that the sleeves 12 can
be folded
about those edges 110 to extend towards the shoulders 18. In effect, the
sleeves 12 can be
doubled back over themselves. As shown in Figure 8, even after having been
folded back
over themselves, the sleeves 12 maintain a Delta-fold shape. It will be
understood that
maintaining the Delta-fold shape in and around the shoulders 18 and neck 20
that
substantially reduces the likelihood of creasing of the garment 10, and that
maintaining the
Delta shape with doubling over of the sleeves 12 is more to contain the size
of the folded
garment 10 than to reduce creasing. Thus the sleeves 12 can in fact be folded
in a number
of different ways resulting in a number of different shapes.
After folding the sleeves 12 about the leading edges 110 of the bar 44,
trousers 76
can be laid over the sleeves 12 as indicated by arrow I in Figure 9. When in
this position the
top edge of the waist of the trousers 76 is generally aligned with the short
edge of planar
sheet 15, at which planar sheet 15 meets flap 54. Thus the legs of the
trousers 76 extend
across the garment support 14.
The hook 72 of the trouser support 68 is then hooked underneath the bar 44 of
the
sleeve support 16 as indicated by arrows J and K in Figures 10 and 11
respectively. By
hooking the hook 72 underneath the bar 44, the bar 44 is spaced away from the
planar
sheet 15. Since the sleeves 12 are folded around the bar 44, there is less
pressure placed
by the sleeves 12 on the body of the garment 10. Thus the hook 72 reduces the
likelihood of
creases being formed between the body of the garment 10 and the sleeves 12.
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After hooking the hook 72 of the trouser support 68 underneath the bar 44, the
lip 74
of the trouser support 68 is dropped over the cross-bar or clip 32 as
indicated by arrow L. As
discussed above, the lip 74 may simply rest against the cross-bar or clip and
prevent the
hook 72 from sliding along the back of the garment 10 out from underneath the
bar 44.
Alternatively, the lip 74 may positively engage the cross-bar or clip 32,
though positive
engagement will in most circumstances be unnecessary since when the flaps 52,
54 are
zipped together as discussed hereafter, the trouser support 68 will be held in
position.
When the trouser support 68 is in position, it presses the trousers 76 against
the
garment 10 to hold both in position on the garment support 14.
The legs of the trousers 76 can then be folded over the trouser support 68,
particularly a short edge of the trouser support 68, as indicated by arrow M
in Figure 12. The
width of the garment carrier 100, and/or the width of the trouser support 68
can be selected
to suit a particular length of trousers 76, so that when the trousers 76
folded about the
trouser support 68 the hems of the legs of the trousers 76 are at or near the
waist of the
trousers 76. It will be appreciated that any width of garment carrier 100 and
trouser support
68 may be used, but is generally preferable that the trouser support 68 be at
least as wide
as half of the length of the trousers 76 so that the trousers 76 need only
have one fold in
order to be contained within the garment carrier 100.
Once the legs of the trousers 76 have been folded over the trouser support 68,
a tail
part 112 of the garment 10 can be folded back over the trousers 76 as
indicated by arrow N
in the Figure 13. Thus the trousers 76 are retained, together with the trouser
support 68,
within the folded garment 10.
It will be appreciated that creases should be avoided during folding so as to
reduce
the likelihood of creases when the garment 10 is unpacked from the garment
carrier 100.
Flaps 52 are then brought into engagement by folding the flaps 52 inwardly in
the
direction of arrows 0 as shown in Figure 14. The tab 62 on one of the flaps 52
is then
depressed in the direction of arrow P to engage the hook and loop fastener
system
discussed above. The flaps 52 substantially enclose the garment 10, with one
of the flaps
52 extending over the shoulders 18 and neck 20 of the garment 10 and the other
of the flaps
52 extending over the tail portion 112 of the garment 10. In some cases it may
be desirable
to avoid use of a hook and loop fastener system as it may catch on some
garments 10 and
damage those garments 10. To that end, any other connection system (e.g. one
or more
magnetic fasteners) may be used. Alternatively, since flaps 54 are folded over
flaps 52 and
zipped thereto as discussed below, a connection system between flaps 52 may be
altogether avoided.
In the view shown in Figure 14 rows of teeth 60 are visible on the outer
surface of the
respective flaps 52.
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Flaps 54 are then folded over flaps 52 in the direction of arrows Q as shown
in Figure
15. Zippers 114 comprising rows of teeth 60, 66 as discussed above, are then
zipped shut.
Thus flaps 54 are held to flaps 52, completing folding of the garment carrier
100.
As shown in Figure 16, when in the folded configuration, the garment carrier
100 is
sized and shaped to fit neatly into a suitcase 108 as indicated by arrow R. In
the present
case, the garment carrier 100 is sized and shaped to fit into a suitcase 108
of standard
dimensions suitable for aeroplane carry-on luggage though it may instead be
sized to fit into
another (e.g. larger) suitcase.
An alternative garment carrier 200 is shown in Figures 17 to 19. The
description of
features of garment carrier 200 that have a similar function to features of
the garment carrier
100 has not been reiterated and instead attention is drawn to the foregoing
pages of the
description to identify the functionality of those features.
The garment carrier, as shown in exploded view in Figure 17, is also for
carrying a
garment (not shown) having sleeves. In the embodiment described above the
garment
support 14 includes flaps 52, 54 that enclose the garment 10 when the garment
support 14
is in use. In the embodiment shown in Figure 17 the garment support 202
includes a single
large flap 204 that zips onto an upright peripheral sidewall 206 to enclose
the garment 10.
The single large flap 204 meets, and flexes around, opposite ends of the
upright sidewall
206 to enclose the garment 10.
The upright sidewall 206 is joined to a base of the garment support 202 by a
rounded
edge 207. The rounded edge 207 serves an aesthetic purpose, namely to provide
a smooth
transition between the sidewall 206 and base of the garment support 202. The
rounded edge
207 also reduces the number of sharp edges the garment carrier 200 might
otherwise
present to a suitcase in which the garment carrier 200 is located during
transit, consequently
reducing the likelihood of damage of that suitcase.
Around the uppermost edge of the sidewall 206 is a row of zipper teeth 209.
The row
of zipper teeth 209 interlock with zipper teeth of the flap 204 as described
below.
To enable the flap 204 to flex around the ends of the upright sidewall 206,
the flap
204 must be made from a flexible material at least in the region that is
required to flex
around the upright sidewall 206. The part of the flap 204 that is not required
to flex around
the sidewall 206 may be made from a comparatively more rigid material.
Desirably, the
upright sidewall 206 should be made from a rigid material so that it does not
crumple when
in use.
The single large flap 204 has a generally planar, rectangular body with a
rounded
peripheral edge 208 extending substantially from one end of the sidewall 206,
around the
periphery of the body, to the other end of the sidewall 206. The rounded
peripheral edge 208
serves an aesthetic purpose, namely to provide a smooth transition between the
flap 204
and upright sidewall 206 when the former is zipped to the latter. The rounded
peripheral
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edge 208 also reduces the number of sharp edges the garment carrier 200 might
otherwise
present to a suitcase in which the garment carrier 200 is located during
transit, consequently
reducing the likelihood of damage of that suitcase.
Along the outer edge of the peripheral edge 208 is a row of zipper teeth 211
that
interlock with the row of zipper teeth 209 of the upright sidewall 206 as
described above, to
fix the garment carrier 200 in a closed condition.
The cross-bar or clip 32 of the previous embodiment has been replaced with a
single
mounting bar 210 attached to the upright sidewall 206 by rivets 212. It will
be appreciated
that any other appropriate means for attaching the mounting bar 210 to the
upright sidewall
206 may be used.
The mounting bar 210 is also held in position by rivets 254 (discussed in
relation to
Figure 18) extending through a base of the garment support 202. To serve the
purely
aesthetic purpose of disguising or hiding the rivets 254, a shroud 214 is
provided. The
shroud 214 fits onto the mounting bar 210 below the sleeve support 216, at or
near where
the mounting bar 210 meets the base of the garment support 202, and obscures
the rivets
254 from view. The shroud 214 includes a series of notches that fit over
corresponding
small ribs in the mounting bar 210. However, any appropriate means for fitting
the shroud
214 to the mounting bar 210 may be used.
An upper surface of the shroud is rounded so as to accommodate pivoting of the
axle
226 of the sleeve support 216 (discussed further below).
The shape of the sleeve support 216 of the present embodiment is different to
that of
the sleeve support 16 of the embodiment described above. The central limb 218
is
substantially rectangular rather than having a tapered shape. At one end, the
central limb
218 is received within an aperture in a bar 220. The arms 222 extending from
either side of
the aperture in which the central limb 218 is received, have a rounded leading
edge about
which the sleeves of a garment (not shown) can be folded. This reduces or
avoids creasing
of the sleeves in the region of the fold around the sleeve support 216. The
rear edge of the
arms 222 may also be rounded, but in the present case is generally flat.
The opposite end of the central limb 218 is received in a hub 224. The hub 224
is
attached to an axle 226 in about which the sleeve support 216 pivots in the
same manner as
described above in relation to sleeve support 16.
The hub 224 has a protrusion 228 on an underside thereof. The protrusion 228
it
received in the neck region of a garment when in use. The protrusion 228 has a
rounded,
bulb-like shape so as to avoid creasing the garment, though any other
appropriate shape
may be used. For example, if the protrusion 228 is made from a supple material
then it may
present a square face to the garment as the suppleness of the material would
substantially
reduce the likelihood of creasing of the neck region of the garment.
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The protrusion 228 may be used to space the bar 220 from the garment support
202
so that the bar 220 does not crush the garment when the sleeves of the garment
are folded
around the arms 222. However, the protrusion 228 as shown in Figure 17 is
formed from
foam. The protrusion 228 ensures the neck region of the garment 10 does not
slip
underneath the sleeve support 216. An opposed protrusion 229 bears against the
trouser
support 244 when it is in position over the sleeve support 216, to ensure the
trouser support
244 does not move.
A rear face 230 of the hub 224 is angled forwardly. Correspondingly, a forward
face
of the mounting bar 210 is also angled forwardly. When the sleeve support 216
is pivoted
down onto a garment to hold the garment in place, the rear face 230 of the hub
224 comes
into abutment against the forward face of the mounting bar 210. This prevents
further
rotation of the sleeve support 216 towards the garment. In this manner, the
angle of the
forward face of the mounting bar 210 and of the rear face 230 of the hub 224
may be
selected to define a particular desired spacing between the bar 220 of the
sleeve support
216 and the garment support 202. Thus the relative angles of the rear face 230
of the hub
224 and the forward face of the mounting bar 210 may supplement or replace the
protrusion
228 in its purpose of spacing the bar 220 from the garment support 202.
It will also be appreciated that various other means for defining a space
between the
bar 220 and the garment support 202 may be used. For example, the mounting bar
210 may
include one or more protrusions extending from its forward face that come into
abutment
with the hub 224 and/or central limb 218 to prevent further rotation of the
sleeve support 216
toward the garment support 202.
As mentioned above, the hub 224 is attached to the axle 226. In the present
case,
the hub 224 and axle 226 are integral. Each of the ends of the axle 226 is
provided with a
hub 232. Each hub 232 aligned with an axle mount aperture 234 on the mounting
bar 210.
Pins 236 are then inserted into the mounting apertures 234 and hubs 232 to
pivotally fix the
axle 226 to the mounting bar 210. It will be appreciated that any other
appropriate means for
fixing the sleeve support 216 to the mounting bar 210 may be used.
The present embodiment further includes shoulder supports 238. The shoulder
supports 238 are attached by straps 240 to the garment support 202. In the
present case,
the straps 240 are attached to the upright sidewall 206. The shoulder supports
238 are for
maintaining a shape of a respective shoulder of the garment when the garment
is folded into
the garment carrier 200, and the garment carrier 200 is closed around the
garment. To that
end, the shoulder support 238 comprise a pad of material insertable into a
shoulder of the
garment. The pad is ideally compressible (e.g. formed from foam) so as not to
crush the
garment against the flap 204 when in transit, or to be useable with various
different garment
shoulder shapes and sizes. However, the shoulder support 238 may be formed
from or
include any suitable material.
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The shoulder support 238 comprises a convex, or rounded upper surface. The
shoulder support 238 further comprises a flat base. The upper surface conforms
to the
shape of a shoulder of the garment. The flat base rests against a portion of
the garment that
is to remain flat when folded into the garment carrier 200.
The shoulder supports 238 are inserted either after sleeves of the garment
into the
shoulder region of the garment, or are inserted through the neck of the
garment into the
shoulder region of the garment. The shoulder supports 238 are shaped to
maintain the
shape of the shoulder of the garment when the garment is folded into the
garment carrier
200. Thus creasing of the shoulders of the garment can be avoided or at least
substantially
reduced.
It will be appreciated that shoulder supports 238 of various sizes and shapes
may be
provided to account for different types of garment, different genders (women
will often have
a narrower shoulders than men) and different sizes of garment.
Each of the shoulder supports 238 includes a rear fabric tab or loop 242. In
the
present case, the fabric tabs 242 are extensions of respective straps 240. The
fabric tabs
242 engage the sleeve support 216. For example, the fabric tabs 242 may fit
around the
ends of respective arms 222 of the sleeve support 216. Thus the shoulder
supports 238 can
be secured to the sleeve support 216 when the garment carrier 200 is not in
use.
Alternatively, shoulder supports may be provided that are shaped to be
positioned at
the shoulders of the garment, on the outside of the garment. The sleeves and
shoulders
would then be folded around the shoulder supports to form the Delta-fold shape
described
above.
As with the embodiment described in Figures 1 to 16, a trouser support 244 is
provided. The trouser support 244 has a broad hook 246 that hooks under the
bar 220 in the
manner described above. The trouser support 244 also includes a downwardly
protruding
rounded peripheral edge 248. The protruding rounded peripheral edge 248
extends around
the periphery of the trouser support 244 from the opposite ends of the broad
hook 246. The
protruding rounded peripheral edge 248 is positioned near, or in abutment
with, the upright
sidewall 206 when the trouser support 244 is in position on the garment
support 202.
The rounded peripheral edge 248 has a gap 250 that bridges over the mounting
bar
210.
In the case where the sleeve support 216 is assembled to the mounting bar 210,
and
the mounting bar 210 is riveted to the upright sidewall 206, the garment
carrier 200 is ready
for use. The garment carrier 200 may then be put to use as follows:
- a garment is positioned on the garment support 202
- shoulder supports 238 are inserted up the sleeves of the garment and
into the
shoulders of the garment
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- sleeves and shoulders of the garment are folded as described above in
relation to
Figures 3 to 16
- sleeve support 216 is brought down upon the sleeves to hold the sleeves
in
position
- the sleeves are folded around the sleeve support 216
- trousers are subsequently positioned over the folded sleeves
- the trouser support 244 is fitted over the bar 220 and rotated down into
position
with the gap 250 bridging the mounting bar 210
- the trousers are folded over the trouser support 244
- the flap 204 is folded around the ends of the sidewall 206 and is zipped to
the
sidewall 206.
Figure 18, comprising views 18A to 18F, shows the garment carrier 200 when in
the
closed condition. The views 18A to 18F are a plan, front, rear, left side,
right side and bottom
view respectively. As will be appreciated, from each of the views 18A to 18F
the garment
carrier 200 is substantially bounded by rounded edges. Thus the garment
carrier 200 has
been designed to avoid damage of a suitcase in which a garment carrier 200 may
be
positioned when in transit.
The garment carrier 200 further includes a carry handle 252 attached to the
outside
of the upright sidewall 206. It will be appreciated that various other carry
handle is may be
used and attached to the garment support 202 in various other ways, or no such
carry
handle may be provided.
The bottom view 18F shows that, in addition to securing the mounting bar 210
to the
sidewall 206 by rivets 212, the mounting bar 210 may also be secured through
the base of
the garment support 202 by rivets 254 or other fasteners, adhesive agents or
any other
appropriate means.
Figure 19, comprising views 19A to 19F, shows the garment carrier 200 when in
an
open condition with the trouser support 244 in position over the bar 220. As
discernible from
views 19D and 19E, the trouser support 244 protrudes slightly above the top of
sidewall 206.
When the flap 204 is brought down around the trouser support 244 and is zipped
onto the
upright sidewall 206, the trouser support 244 lies against the flap 204. Thus
a pair of
trousers folded around the trouser support 244 are held in position between
the trouser
support 244 and flap 204.
Views 19D and 19E further show that the upright sidewall 206 tapers from one
end
256 to the opposite end 258. In an opposite manner, the rounded edge 208 of
the flap 204
tapers towards end 256. Thus the rounded edge 208 is at its minimum thickness
generally
in the region of end 256. Since the rounded edge 208 can provide some rigidity
to the flap
204, the edge 208 being at its minimum thickness in the region of end 256
affords flexing of
the flap 204 around the ends 256. At the opposite end, the rounded edge 208
being at its
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maximurn thickness affords greater rigidity of the flap 204. In ensuring the
garment carrier
200 is flexible where required, and a rigid where required, the present
arrangement reduces
the likelihood that a garment in the garment carrier 200 will be crushed when
in transit.
As also notable from views 19D and 19E, fasteners or rivets 212 provide feet
262.
The respective fastener or rivet 212 extends through the foot 262 and sidewall
206 to secure
the mounting bar 210 to the sidewall 206. The feet 262 space the garment
carrier 200 from
surfaces, to reduce damage the garment carrier 200 may experience when in
transit.
Views 19B and 190 show that the trouser support 244 is spaced slightly from
the
upright sidewall 206 when the garment carrier 200 is in an open condition. The
space
between the trouser support 244 and upright sidewall 206 reduces when the flap
204 is
zipped onto the upright sidewall 206. It will be appreciated that, when in the
closed condition
as shown in Figure 18 there may be no gap between the upright sidewall 206 and
trouser
support 244.
In general, the components of the garment carrier 100, 200 may be made from
any
appropriate material. In the present embodiments the garment support 14, 202
is formed
from neoprene (of any thickness including 3mm, 1.5mm and 0.8mm thickness), the
sleeve
support 16, 216 is injection moulded or formed from one or more aluminium
extrusions, and
the trouser support 68, 244 may be formed from neoprene or plastic. The body
of the
trouser support 68, 244 may alternatively be formed from a stretched fabric or
mesh.
It will be understood that the present invention can be employed not just
during
transit, but also in the supply and storing of garments in a shop, from a
manufacturer or tailor
and so forth.
It will be understood to persons skilled in the art of the invention that many
modifications may be made without departing from the spirit and scope of the
invention. It
will also be understood to persons skilled in the art that features of the
various embodiments
described herein may be combined without departing from the spirit and scope
of the
invention.
To this end, a garment carrier 100 for carrying a garment 10 having sleeves
12, may
not comprise all of the features of the embodiment shown in the Figures.
Instead, the
garment carrier 100 may simply comprise a garment support 14, and a sleeve
support 16
positionable over the garment support 14 to hold the garment 10 between the
garment
support 14 and sleeve support 16. In such an embodiment, the sleeve support 16
good
comprise a central limb 40 and a pair of arms 42 about which sleeves 12 of the
garment 10
are folded when the garment carrier 100 is in use.
It will be appreciated that instructions for folding, for example instructions
and
mirroring Figures 3 to 16, and/or branding, warranty and all other information
may be printed
onto surfaces of the garment carrier 100. For example, that information may be
imprinted on
the inner surfaces of the flaps 52, 54.
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Where materials have been specified, such as neoprene, polycarbonate, moulded
EVA and foam, it will be understood that these materials are used as examples
only. These
materials may be substituted for any other appropriate material. For example,
the garment
carrier may be formed from cardboard. This could be useful where only a single-
use of the
garment carrier is desired. Also, in humid climates it may be necessary to
form the garment
carrier from a material that protects the garment against creases, whereas in
climates of
lesser humidity that may be unnecessary.
In the claims which follow and in the preceding description of the invention,
except
where the context requires otherwise due to express language or necessary
implication, the
word "comprise" or variations such as "comprises" or "comprising" is used in
an inclusive
sense, i.e. to specify the presence of the stated features but not to preclude
the presence or
addition of further features in various embodiments of the invention.
It is to be understood that, if any prior art publication is referred to
herein, such
reference does not constitute an admission that the publication forms a part
of the common
general knowledge in the art, in Australia or any other country.
