Garment Bag Systems and Methods of Use
OwnerStephen E. Berglundinventor
Life of this patent
Estimating the term…
Abstract
The present invention includes methods and apparatus in which a reusable bag is provided for the collection and return of soiled garments, laundry and/or other clothing items. The bag may be provided in the form of a hamper that is open at the top, with one or more hooks that allow the bag to be hung from a clothing rod, and is provided with engagement devices that allow the bag to be folded up when not in use, and then unfolded to various levels for containment and protection of clean items that have been hung on standard hangers. In some embodiments, garment protection flaps and a detachable accessory bag are provided inside the bag.
Claims19
A bag for transporting garments comprising:
- a pair of oppositely positioned side panels joined together at a closed bottom end, and a pair of oppositely positioned pleated end panels attached between said side panels forming said bag, said bag being open at an opposite upper end and having an interior and an exterior;
- a pair of hanger hooks, one provided on each of said side panels at said upper end;
- a pair of handles, one provided on each of said side panels at said upper end;
- and
- a pair of D-rings provided on the exterior of a side panel of said bag;
- and
- a pair of clips provided near the bottom of said bag for engagement with said D-rings to hold a portion of said bag against itself in a folded condition, wherein said D-rings are positioned on said side panel such that when they are engaged with said clips, the profile of said bag is small enough to be placed on a conveyor for half-length garments such as shirts or blouses.
A method of transporting garments for cleaning comprising the steps of:
- a. collecting soiled items in a garment bag, said bag comprising a pair of oppositely positioned side panels joined together at one end, and a pair of oppositely positioned pleated end panels attached between said side panels forming said bag, and an opening at a top thereof for receiving at least one hanger hook;
- a pair of lower clips at a bottom of said bag;
- and a pair of upper D-rings provided on a side panel of said bag for engagement with said clips for holding said bag against itself in a folded condition, wherein said D-rings are positioned on said side panel such that when they are engaged with said clips, the profile of said bag is small enough to be placed on a conveyor for half-length garments such as shirts or blouses;
- b. delivering said garment bag to a cleaning service;
- c. cleaning said soiled items;
- d. hanging said cleaned items on hangers with hooks;
- e. folding said garment bag against itself using said clips and D-rings;
- and
- f. inserting said cleaned items into said folded bag such that said hooks of said hangers protrude through said opening in said bag.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.