GB2514409A

GB2514409A - Device for holding apparel

Info

Publication number: GB2514409A
Application number: GB1309343.0A
Authority: GB
Inventors: Cristiano Pizzocheri; Niccol Pizzocheri
Original assignee: Individual
Current assignee: Individual
Priority date: 2013-05-23
Filing date: 2013-05-23
Publication date: 2014-11-26
Also published as: GB201309343D0

Abstract

The device (10) for holding apparel (30) such as a shirt or blouse comprises a central base (11); a first flap (13) hingedly connected to the central base (11) along an upper edge (22); and a second flap (12) hingedly connected to the central base (11) along an opposite lower edge (21) thereof. A width of the first flap (13) is less than both a width of the central base (11) and width of the apparel (30). This means that, in use, apparel (30) is positioned on the central base (11), the first flap (13) is closed against the apparel (30), side parts (31,32, fig 3) of the apparel (30) are folded inwardly over the first flap (13), and the second flap (12) is closed against the central base (11). An aperture (16) may be provided to engage a collar. Fastening means in the form of troughs and ridges (50, 51, fig 8) may be provided secure the second flap to the base and the flap together.

Description

Device for folding apparel The present invention relates to devices for folding of apparel, e.g. men's or women's shirts, blouses or similar garments, and in particular to apparel having a collar, which are useful for the convenient folding and storing of apparel in a substantially wrinkle-free state. Most particularly, this invention relates to a device useful for the convenient folding, holding and protecting of apparel having a collar.

When travelling people face the problem of folding a shirt or other apparel having a collar in the appropriate size to fit it in the desired luggage and particularly business briefcase. Ideally, the shirt should be folded symmetrically along the longitude avoiding the creation of any wrinkle, and the folded dimensions should avoid any visible fold lines when worn. Additionally, the shirt needs to be held flat inside the luggage, particularly when the bag is not completely full, and it needs to be protected from becoming dirty and/or damaged.

The majority of travellers fold a shirt without any aid, deciding proportions approximately. To solve the problem of holding the shirt flat inside a luggage, some travellers might insert a stiffener. Finally, to protect the shirt, a common remedy is to use a plastic bag or box, but this increases the size of the packed shirt.

In addition, packaging for new shirts generally comprises a plastic bag, a carton stiffener, a collar stiffener and a series of plastic pins. The latter often leave a dent mark, which means it is not very practical for immediate use. Furthermore, the packaging material is a waste of material and not environmentally friendly.

US5154329 and US6279791 disclose articles for the convenient folding and storing of a shirt in a substantially wrinkle-free state, but they do not protect the shirt from soiling or damage. US6457635 discloses an article for storing a stack of folded shirts, which protects the shirts from soiling or damage, but which does not protect the collar from being squashed out of shape. It also means there is an environmental benefit of buying a shirt with a package that can be re-used.

To overcome these shortcomings, the present invention proposes a simple device that combines the function of aid precise folding, holding flat and protecting the shirt all in a wrinkly free state. This is achieved with an easy-to-use single item, formed from three parts working synergistically.

According to a first aspect of the invention, there is provided a device for holding apparel, the device comprising: a central base; a first flap hingedly connected to the central base along an upper edge thereof; and a second flap hingedly connected to the central base along an opposite lower edge thereof. A width of the first flap is less than both a width of the central base and width of the apparel. This means that, in use, apparel is positioned on the central base, the first flap is closed against the apparel, side parts of the apparel are folded inwardly over the first flap, and the second flap is closed against the central base.

Preferably, the central base includes means for retaining apparel, and this can comprise an aperture for engaging a collar of the apparel.

Preferably, the central base and the second flap include fastening means to secure the second flap to the central base when the second flap is closed. This can comprise a ridge along a side of edge of the second flap and a corresponding trough along a side edge of the central flap.

The present invention will now be described, by way of example only, with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which: Fig.1 is a perspective view of the embodiment fully opened and ready for use; Fig.2 is a perspective view of the flattened-out shirt faced down on the fully opened embodiment, ready for folding according to this invention; Fig.3 is the perspective view of the embodiment partially closed; Fig.4 is a perspective view of both sleeves folded; Fig.5 is a perspective back view of the completely protected shirt. (Package) Fig.6 is a perspective view of the possible positions of the closing mechanism; Figs.7a and 7b are perspective views of the fastening means that includes ridges and troughs; Fig.8 is a perspective front view of the completely protected shirt. (Package); and Fig.9 is a perspective side view of the embodiment fully opened.

Figs. 1 and 9 show device 10 comprising three parts: a central base 11, a first flap 13 and a second flap 12. Central base 11 has the same dimensions as the final package (closed device).

First flap 13 is connected via a hinged region to upper edge 22 of central base 11. First flap 13 can be formed as one piece with central base 11 and extend away from upper edge 22.

Second flap 12 is connected via a hinged region to lower edge 21 of central base 11. Second flap 12 can be formed as one piece with central base 11 and extend away from lower edge 21.

Fig. 2 shows a first stage in the use of device 10, in which device 10 is shown unfolded. Apparel 30, in this example a shirt, is positioned on central base 11 and second flap 12. In a second stage, first flap 13 is folded over central base 30 and into position against shirt 30, as shown in Fig. 3. In a third stage side parts 31 and 32 of the shirt 30 are folded inwardly along longitudinal fold lines marked by two margins 17 and 18. When apparel 30 is a shirt, as in the example shown, sleeves 34 and 35 are folded down. In a fourth stage, shown in Fig. 4, a bottom part 33 of shirt is folded up along a fold line 21, such that bottom part 33 of shirt 30 projects upwards in line with the collar. The step of folding up the bottom part 33 of the shirt can be helped by placing the more convenient hand below second flap 12 and the other hand on the part of the shirt above second flap 12. If necessary, where shirt 30 extends beyond bottom edge 20 of second flap 12, the user must fold up this extra part of shirt 30 along line 20.

In a further embodiment of the invention, central base 11 includes means for retaining apparel 30. For example, where apparel 30 is a shirt, there is an aperture 16 to accommodate a collar of the shirt, as shown in Figs. 1, 2, and 9.

Aperture 16 follows a shape of the collar. Aperture 16 may be as deep has the height of the collar. A centre of aperture 16 is placed along a medium line of central base 11 and a topside of aperture 16 starts below upper edge 22 of central base 11.

According to this embodiment, in a first stage, as seen in Fig. 2, shirt 30 is placed faced-down over central base 11 and second flap 12. More precisely, the collar of shirt 30 is inserted in aperture 16 of central base 11.

Upper edge 22, lower edge 21, and bottom edge 20 are generally parallel to allow the hinge connection. Where apparel 30 is a shirt, central body 11 and second flap 12 are configured to be rectangular and have the same dimensions. For some garments, side edges of first flap 13 and second flap 12 can take a matching shape.

First flap 13 has a smaller width and a smaller length than central base 11.

Flap 13 has a smaller length so that when apparel, for example a shirt, is folded along side 17 and 18, some space is left along the margin of central base 11 and second flap 12.

First flap 13 acts as stiffener, has a rectangular hole 25 in the middle. The hole has the advantage to reduce material needed to produce the device and lessen the total volume of the device closed once operating. The maximum size of the hole must guarantee the margins 17, 18, 19 to be hard enough to maintain the flap rigid given the material used.

Device 10 is typically fabricated from durable, flexible plastic sheet or similar materials.

In a further embodiment, central base 11, first flap 13 and/or second flap 12 include fastening means to secure second flap 12 to central base 11 when second flap 12 is closed. For example, Fig. 6 shows an embodiment of a fastening means, in which a clip 41 is arranged where upper edge 22 and bottom edge 20 touch when second flap 12 is closed. Alternatively, buttons 40 are arranged on the back of first flap 13 and engage with a corresponding fastener on second flap 12 when second flap 12 is closed. Figs 7A and 7B show a further embodiment of a fastening means, in which ridges 50 are arranged along edges 14, 15 and 22 of central base 11, and corresponding troughs 51 into which the ridges interlock are arranged along edges of second flap 12. For the package to be completely sealed the ridge should run along edge 14 and 15 and also along upper edge 22. However, because first flap 13 folds over central base 11, interrupted ridges are arranged along upper edge 22 of central base 11 and further ridges 52 are arranged on the back of first flap l3so that when it is folded down there is a continuity of ridges. In order to accommodate the thickness of the shirt once folded, the flaps should not be completely flat and are preferably hollow. It is important that central base 11 remains flat so the shirt can be folded without any wrinkles. This is shown in Fig. 9, where central base 11 is substantially flat and has aperture 16 for the collar. The arrows indicate how second flap 12 and first flap 13 are folded to enclose apparel 30. Troughs 51 on second flap 12 interlock with ridges 50 on central base 11, effectively creating a hollow space so that the thickness of the shirt may be accommodated.

The dimensions of the device will be chosen so as to accommodate different shirts sizes (i.e. S,M,L,XL etc).

Claims

Claims 1. A device for holding apparel, the device comprising: a central base; a first flap hingedly connected to the central base along an upper edge thereof; and a second flap hingedly connected to the central base along an opposite lower edge thereof; in which the first flap has a width less than a width of the central base and has a width less than the apparel; wherein, in use, apparel is positioned on the central base, the first flap is closed against the apparel, side parts of the apparel are folded inwardly over the first flap, and the second flap is closed against the central base.
2. A device according to claim 1, in which the central base includes means for retaining apparel.
3. A device according to claim 2, in which the means for retaining apparel comprises an aperture for engaging a collar of the apparel.
4. A device according to any preceding claim, in which the central base and the second flap include fastening means to secure the second flap to the central base when the second flap is closed.
5. A device according to any of claims 1 to 3, in which the first flap and the second flap include fastening means to secure the second flap to the first flap when the second flap is closed.
6. A device according to claim 3 or claim 4, in which the fastening means includes a trough along the side edges of the second flap and interlocking with a corresponding ridge.
7. A device for holding apparel as described herein with reference to the drawings.