US20190365003A1

US20190365003A1 - Method and Apparatus for Maintaining Rolled Shirt Sleeves and Pant Legs

Info

Publication number: US20190365003A1
Application number: US15/996,002
Authority: US
Inventors: Maggie H. Barton; Jonathan S. Barton
Original assignee: Cuffed Up LLC
Current assignee: Cuffed Up LLC
Priority date: 2018-06-01
Filing date: 2018-06-01
Publication date: 2019-12-05

Abstract

An apparatus and method for rolling a portion of a clothing item, such as a sleeve, using a flexible band that is configurable in a substantially linear orientation and a substantially coiled orientation. The band is preferably a bistable metal spring substantially encased in a covering material. Different fabrics and slip-resistant materials may be used for the covering. An optional recessed area or hook at an end of the band engages with a button on the shirt cuff for positioning of the band for rolling. The band is aligned with an outermost edge of the sleeve cuff, the cuff and band are folded up a number of times until the desired sleeve length is reached. Inside the roll, the band is in a coiled orientation between the layers of fabric, exerting slight pressure to maintain the rolled position of the sleeve during normal arm movement.

Description

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

1. Field of the Invention

This invention relates to a method and apparatus to aid in evenly rolling shirt sleeves or pant legs and maintaining the sleeves or legs in a rolled position.

2. Description of Related Art

Shirt sleeves may be rolled by simply folding the bottom edge, hem, or cuff up onto the sleeve one or more times to temporarily shorten the length of the sleeves. Pant legs may similarly be rolled. Frequently, normal arm and leg movements cause the fabric to unroll partially or completely, requiring repeated re-rolling to maintain the sleeves or pant legs in a rolled up position. There are a couple of known devices to aid in maintaining sleeves in a rolled up position. For example, U.S. Pat. No. 6,775, 846 discloses a sleeve holder comprising an elastic band, covered with fabric and having with hook and loop connectors at the ends to allow the band to open and close. The user rolls up his or her sleeves to the shoulder, places the one end of the opened band through the collar/head opening of the shirt, around the rolled up sleeve to connect to the other end of the band. The sleeve holder in the '846 patent is externally visible outside of the shirt, making it unsightly. It also effectively turns the shirt into a sleeveless style shirt, when some users may only want to roll their sleeves up to the mid-forearm, elbow, or mid-bicep area.
Another example is found in U.S. Pat. No. 7,650,650, which discloses a shirt with built-in securing members to secure the sleeves in a rolled up position. The securing member may be stitches, which would make the rolled sleeve permanent and not adjustable between a down and rolled up position. Other permanent securing members disclosed are adhesives and rivets. The securing member may also comprise snaps or hook and loop fasteners, buttons, or zippers to allow adjustment of the sleeves between a rolled up and down position. The '650 patent also discloses an elastic “snugging member” that may be disposed between layers of fabric in a rolled up sleeve to reduce the diameter of the sleeve, making it conform more to the user's arm. But the securing and snugging members are specific to one shirt and do not allow use of a single device with multiple shirts.
There is a need for a device that can be used with multiple different shirts and different styles of shirt sleeves (or even pant legs) interchangeably to maintain a sleeve (or pant leg) in a rolled position, that is not externally visible in use, allows for evenly sized rolls, and allows adjustability in the amount of roll applied for placement of the bottom of the roll on any portion of the arm (or leg).

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

A rolled clothing apparatus according to preferred embodiments of the invention allows a user to roll his or her sleeve or pant leg to a desired position, to achieve evenly sized rolls, to maintain the sleeve or pant leg in the rolled position without unrolling through normal arm or leg movement, is not externally visible, is comfortable to wear, and is interchangeable with different shirts and pants and different styles of sleeves and pant legs. A rolled clothing apparatus according to preferred embodiments of the invention also allows a user to roll neck garments, such as a shirt collar, turtle neck, or a muff to a desired position. A single rolled clothing apparatus according to one preferred embodiment may be configured to use interchangeably between different types of clothing (such as a shirt, pant leg, and shirt collar) and/or interchangeably between different users. According to another preferred embodiment, a single rolled clothing apparatus is specially configured, based on size, shape, band material, and/or covering material, for one type of use (such as for a pant leg) and/or one type of user (such as for a man) and multiple different special configurations are available to accommodate different uses (such as shirt sleeve) and different users (such as a woman or a child). According to another preferred embodiment, a set of rolled clothing apparatuses are provided, with each of a plurality of the apparatuses comprising a characteristic (such as band material, covering material, color, pattern, size, use type, or user type) that is different the characteristics of the other apparatuses in the set.
According to one preferred embodiment of the invention, a rolled clothing apparatus comprises a band made of flexible material that is placed near a bottom edge of a shirt sleeve or pant leg and allows the sleeve or leg to be folded up over the band as many times as desired to achieve the desired position of the sleeve or pant leg on the user's arm or leg. Most preferably, the band comprises a first material, preferably one or more layers of bistable spring strips (similar to a “slap” or “snap” bracelet), that is flexible and changeable between a substantially flat orientation to a substantially coiled or circular orientation. The band is preferably substantially rigid in a width direction (perpendicular to the length of the band) such that the band does not collapse on itself or fold or substantially bend width-wise The first material may be made of metal or other flexible material.
According to another preferred embodiment, the band optionally comprises a covering, substantially or completely encasing the first material. The covering is preferably made from one or more materials different from the first material, such as silicone, fabric, leather, plastic, rubber, and/or latex. Various colors or patterns of coverings may be used for aesthetic reasons or to coordinate with clothing, although such is not necessary since the covering will not show once the band is rolled within the sleeve or pant leg at least twice.
According to another preferred embodiment, the band or covering may also be fully or partially covered in or made from a raised, textured, slip resistant, or slightly adhesive material to aid in positioning it on the sleeve or pant leg and gripping the fabric for the initial roll.
According to another preferred embodiment, the band may be covered or made from smooth, slightly slippery, or non-slip resistant material to prevent it from being caught on or snagging delicate fabrics during placement, rolling, or removal. A middle portion of the band may be made from a raised, textured, slip resistant, or slightly adhesive material to aid in positioning the band, while the other portions of the band are configured to not stick to or grip the fabric.
According to another preferred embodiment, the band may be completely or partially covered with one material, such as fabric or silicone, and have one or more other, different materials, such as a different fabric, disposed on a portion of the surface of the one material or covering the portions of the band not covered by the one material.
According to another preferred embodiment, one end of the band does not connect to the other end of the band when in use. The two ends may be spaced slightly apart, may abut each other, or may overlap.
According to yet another preferred embodiment, each end of the band or covering may comprise a fastener configured to connect the two ends together once in place around a sleeve or pant leg to aid in securing the band. Such fasteners may include snaps, hook and loop tape, hook and eyelets, magnets. According to yet another preferred embodiment, a plurality of longitudinally spaced apart fasteners may be included on the band or covering to allow for adjustment of a circumference of the apparatus when in a coiled orientation.
According to yet another preferred embodiment, one or both ends of the band or covering may comprise a recessed area or a connector, such as a hook, or both. The recessed area and connector configured to connect to or releasably engage with a button that may be present on the cuff of a shirt to aid in positioning and securing the band to the shirt prior to rolling.
These and other features, objects and advantages of the present invention will become better understood from a consideration of the following detailed description of the preferred embodiments and appended claims in conjunction with the drawings. Although the discussion of the preferred embodiments will focus on use of the apparatus with rolled shirt sleeves, the invention may be used with pant legs, jacket sleeves, neck related clothing items, and the like, as will be understood by those of ordinary skill in the art.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

The apparatus of the invention is further described and explained in relation to the following drawings wherein:

FIG. 1 is a top plan view of one preferred embodiment of an apparatus according to the invention;

FIG. 2 is a side elevation view of the embodiment of FIG. 1;

FIG. 3 is an end elevation view of the embodiment of FIG. 1;

FIG. 4 is a top plan view of another preferred embodiment of an apparatus according to the invention;

FIG. 5 is side elevation view of the embodiment of FIG. 4;

FIG. 6 is a bottom plan view of the embodiment of FIG. 4;

FIG. 7 is a perspective view of the embodiment of FIG. 4;

FIG. 8 is an end elevation view of the embodiment of FIG. 4;

FIG. 9A is a partial side elevation of an alternate configuration of the embodiment of FIG. 4;

FIG. 9B is a partial side elevation of an alternate configuration of the embodiment of FIG. 4

FIG. 10A is an end elevation of the embodiment of FIG. 8;

FIG. 10B is an end elevation of the embodiment of FIG. 8;

FIG. 10C is an end elevation of the embodiment of FIG. 8 with a first set of optional facets removed to allow a better view of second set of optional facets;

FIG. 10D is an end elevation of the embodiment of FIG. 8 with a first set of optional facets removed to allow a better view of second set of optional facets;

FIG. 11 shows a preferred placement of the embodiment of FIG. 4 near an outermost edge of a clothing item to be rolled;

FIG. 12 is a perspective view of the embodiment of FIG. 4 as being rolled between layers of fabric of the clothing item being rolled

FIG. 13 is a cross sectional view of the embodiment of FIG. 4 as rolled between layers of fabric of the clothing item being rolled.

DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

Referring to FIGS. 1-3, one preferred embodiment of a rolled clothing apparatus 10 depicted. Apparatus 10 is shown in a linear orientation in the figures. When in use, apparatus 10 will take on a circular, coiled orientation loosely conforming to the size of the body part with which apparatus 10 is designed to be used (an arm, leg, or neck). Apparatus 10 preferably comprises a band 12 having a first end 20, a second end 22, a top surface 32, and bottom surface 34. Band 12 preferably comprises a first end portion 16 disposed near first end 20, a second end portion 18 disposed near second end 22, and a middle portion 14 disposed between portions 16, 18. Band 12 is preferably one or more layers of bistable spring strips or bands made of metal (preferably stainless steel) or other resilient flexible material, similar to a “slap bracelet.” First and second end portions 16, 18, and middle portion 14 are preferably the same width, but varying width similar to portions 116, 118, and 114 (discussed below) may also be used. The overall width of apparatus 10 is preferably around 1.5 cm to 4 cm, but other widths may also be used. For use with rolling shirt sleeves with only a bottom hem or with a narrow cuff, the overall width is preferably narrower than for use with rolling pant legs or shirts with a standard or wide cuff. Band 12 may be slightly narrower than this overall width if a covering 112 is used. The overall thickness of apparatus 10 is preferably around 0.08 mm to 0.25 mm, but other thicknesses may also be used. Band 12 may be slightly thinner than this overall thickness if a covering 112 is used.
Ends 20 and 22 are preferable arcuate, but other shapes, including squared off ends, may also be used. It is preferred that band 12 not have sharp corners at ends 20, 22 to avoid damaging the clothing with which band 12 will be used or to avoid damaging any optional covering material that may be used with band 12. When deformed to a coiled or circular orientation, ends 20, 22 may be spaced slightly apart, may abut each other, or may overlap, depending on the length of band 12 and the size of the user's arm, leg, or neck. Band 12 will function adequately if the ends 20, 22 are spaced apart, abut, or overlap, but it is preferred that if they are spaced apart the gap between the ends 20, 22 not be more than around 40% of the user's arm, neck, or leg measurement. Most preferably, for children the gap is not more than 6 cm for an arm or 8 cm for a leg. Most preferably for adults, the gap is not more than 12 cm for an arm or 15 cm for a leg.
The overall length of apparatus 10 is preferably around 10 to 30 cm in length, depending on the desired use. The overall length of apparatus 10 may be shorter for use with children's or women's clothing and longer for use with men's clothing, for example. Band 12 may be slightly shorter than this overall length if a covering 112 is used. Having a longer band 12 allows greater flexibility of use between different users (with different sized body parts) and between different types of clothing, so it is most preferred that band 12 be around 20 to 30 cm long for adults and around 10 to 20 cm long for children. Since ends 20 and 22 may overlap each other in a coiled orientation during use, any excess length of band 12 that is greater than the size of the body part with which apparatus 10 is being used is not problematic; however, it is preferred that the overlap not be more than 50% of the total length of apparatus 10.
According to yet another preferred embodiment, each end 20, 22 of band 12 may comprise a fastener configured to connect the two ends together once in place around a sleeve or pant leg to aid in securing the band. Such fasteners may include snaps, hook and loop tape, hook and eyelets, magnets. When band 12 is made from bistable spring bands, the ends will effectively be held together (into a coiled orientation, though the ends will not necessarily touching or overlapping) when the band is deformed into a coiled or circular orientation, such that it is not necessary to have fasteners. Fasteners are preferred when band 12 is made from other flexible material that will not hold a coiled or circular shape without the ends 20, 22 being fastened together. One or more fasteners may be spaced apart along a portion of the length of band 12 near one or both ends 20, 22 to allow for adjustment in the circumference of the circle formed when the fasteners are connected to allow band 12 to be used by different users (such as a child or adult) or different sized body parts (such as a sleeve roll being smaller than a pant roll).
Band 12 preferably has an arcuate shape across its width, such that top surface 32 is concave and bottom surface 34 is convex (best seen in FIG. 3). This configuration aids in allowing band 12 to be deformed from a linear orientation into a coiled or circular orientation for use. Most preferably, band 12 is uniform in width (other than rounding at ends 20, 22) and thickness over the entirety of its surface (the tapering appearance at 36, 38 is due to curvature).
Referring to FIGS. 4-10D, band 12 may be covered with a variety of covering materials 112, such as silicone, fabric, leather, plastic, paper, tape or adhesive backed materials, rubber or latex. Most preferably, any covering 112 substantially or completely covers the interior metal or other resilient flexible material of band 12 and does not interfere with the deformation of band 12 between linear and circular orientations. A covering 112 is preferred, particularly if band 12 is made from metal, but is optional.
Cover or covering 112 preferably comprises a first end portion 116, a second end portion 118, and a middle portion 114. Middle portion 114 is preferably narrower in width (as shown in FIG. 4) than first end portion 116 or second end portion 118, such that sides of band covering 112 are arcuate. Preferably, the first end portion 116 and second end portion 118 are around the same width and the ratio of the widths of end portions 116, 118 to 114 is around 2:1 to around 10:9. Preferably, end portions 116, 118 are around 1.5 to 5.5 cm wide and more preferably around 3.2 to 3.9 cm wide. Middle portion is preferably around 1.5 to 5.1 cm wide and more preferably around 2.2 to 2.9 cm wide. Middle portion 114 is preferably narrower in thickness (as shown in FIG. 5) than first end portion 116 or second end portion 118. Preferably, the first end portion 116 and second end portion 118 are around the same thickness and the ratio of the thicknesses of end portions 116, 118 to 114 is around 2:1 to around 8:1. Preferably, the total thickness of end portions 116, 118 (both layers/sides of the covering material and the thickness of band 12 inside covering 112) are around 1 to 6 mm thick and total thickness of middle portion 114 (both sides of covering and the thickness of band 12 inside covering) is around 1 to 3 mm thick. Most preferably, the total thickness of end portions 116, 118 is around 3.25 mm thick and the total thickness of middle portion is around 1.5 mm thick. If no covering is included with apparatus 10, the width of the first middle portion of the band 14 is around 1.4 to 5 cm, the width of each of the first and second end portions 16, 18 is around 1.4 to 5.4 cm, the length of the band is around 10 to 29 cm, and the thickness of the band is around 0.08 to 0.4 mm.
The tapered shape of covering 112 aids in conforming to the curvature of the user's body. Band 12 (with or without covering 112) may also have a shape similar to covering 112 as shown in FIGS. 4-6. Alternatively, covering 112 may also have a shape similar to band 12 as shown in FIG. 1, where end portions 116, 118 are the same width as middle portion 114. It is still preferred that covering 112 be tapered in thickness near ends 120, 122.
Band covering 112 also preferably has an arcuate shape across its width, such that top surface 132 is concave and bottom surface 134 is convex (best seen in FIGS. 5, 7, and 8), conforming to the preferred shape of band 12. This configuration aids in allowing band covering 112 to contour to band 12 when it is deformed from a linear orientation into a circular orientation for use.
Covering 112 may comprise any number of materials differing in color, pattern (which may be printed or woven), texture, wording (if words are imprinted or woven into the covering) or nature (with woven cloth fabric, silicone, paper, adhesive backed tape or other materials, rubber, plastic, and leather each being of a different nature than the others, for example). Different materials may be used for aesthetic reasons, for branding purposes, to provide instructions for use (such as identifying which side of apparatus 10 should be placed against the fabric to be rolled when making the first roll, since band 12 will only coil in one direction), or to coordinate with clothing.
Optionally disposed on a bottom surface 134 of covering 112 is embossed or raised material 126. According to one preferred embodiment, raised material 126 differs from the one or more other materials on bottom surface 134 in color, pattern, texture, or nature. According to another preferred embodiment, raised materials 126 is the same as one or more other materials on bottom surface 134 in color, pattern, texture, or nature. Raised material 126 may be configured in one or more stripes, dots, zig-zags, or other patterns in a vertical (longitudinal) or horizontal orientation on surface 134. Raised material 126 is preferably textured or made from slip-resistant materials (such as rubber or silicone), or a slight adhesive material to provide some grip against the fabric, to aid in positioning band covering 112 and maintaining apparatus 10 in the correct position while the first and second rolls are being made. Raised material 126 also visually aids the user to know which side of apparatus 10 should be placed against the fabric to be rolled when making the first roll. Most preferably, raised material 126 extends over substantially the full length of band covering 112. Raised material 126 may also be disposed directly on bottom surface 34 of band 12, if no covering 112 is used.
Disposed in end 122 is an optional, but preferable, recessed area 124. Recessed area 124 may be a simple arcuate U- or V-shaped notch in end 122, to allow insertion of a button when apparatus 10 is being used with a shirt sleeve having a buttoned cuff. Insertion of a button into recessed area 124 aids in aligning apparatus 10 and maintaining apparatus 10 in the correct position while the first and second rolls are being made. Recessed area 124 is preferably substantially V-shaped with a flattened interior end 131 and comprises a pair of first facets 128 and a pair of second facets 130 disposed nearer top surface 132. The opening of recessed area 124 is preferably around 2 mm to 20 mm wide and narrows to around 1 mm to 6 mm wide near end 131. First facets 128 are preferably each angled in a direction from top surface 132 toward bottom surface 134 and inwardly (tilted) toward a central longitudinal axis of cover 112. One of the second facets 130 is preferably disposed inwardly from each of the first facets 128. Second facets 130 are also preferably each angled in a direction from top surface 132 toward bottom surface 134 and inwardly (tilted) toward a central longitudinal axis of cover 112. The angle α1 of each first facet 128 from an axis substantially perpendicular to the longitudinal axis of covering 112 as shown in FIG. 10A is from around 40 to around 70 degrees. The angle α2 of tilt for each first facet 128 from a horizontal axis as shown in FIG. 10B is from around 10 to around 35 degrees. The angle α3 of each second facet 130 from an axis substantially perpendicular to the longitudinal axis of covering 112 as shown in FIG. 10C is from around 40 to around 70 degrees. The angle α4 of tilt for each second facet 130 from a horizontal axis as shown in FIG. 10D is from around 10 to around 35 degrees. Facets 128 are removed in FIGS. 10C-10D to allow a better view of facets 130. Facets 128 and 130 aid in guiding different sized buttons into recessed area 124. Recessed area 124 may alternatively be disposed in end 120 or in both ends 102, 122.
Similarly, a connector or hook 140 as shown in FIGS. 9A and 9B may also be disposed extending outwardly from end 122 (or end 120 or both) to hook onto a button on the shirt sleeve. Hook 140 may be used as an alternative to recessed area 124 or in addition to recessed area 124. Optionally, band 12 may also include a recessed area in and/or a hook extending from end 20 and/or 22, particularly if a covering 112 is not used or, if a covering 112 is used, the end of band with a recessed area and/or hook may be exposed and not fully covered by covering 112.
Referring to FIGS. 11-13, a preferred method of creating a uniform roll on a clothing item, preferably using apparatus 10, comprises placing a band (such as band 12, with or without covering 112) against the unrolled item of clothing to be rolled, preferably holding band 12 near middle portion 14 at or near an outermost (or bottom) edge 144 of a middle portion of the clothing item (such as the middle of a shirt cuff). Bottom surface 34 or 134 is preferably placed next to the clothing fabric 142, with top surface 32 or 132 facing out as shown in FIG. 11. The user preferably aligns a side edge (or bottom edge of band 12 in a horizontal direction) of band 12 (or covering 112) with an outermost edge 144 of the portion of the clothing item to be rolled such that the band 112 (or covering 112) does not extend substantially outwardly from the outermost edge 144. The band may extend slightly below (or outwardly) of the initial outermost edge 144 of the fabric, but it is preferred to be even with the outermost edge or slightly above the outermost edge as shown in FIG. 11. If optional recessed area 124 is included on band 12 or covering 112, and the clothing item being rolled has a button 146, then button 146 is inserted into recessed area 124 as shown in FIG. 11. Similarly, optional hook 140 would be hooked around button 146 if hook 140 is included in apparatus 10. The user holds band 12 against the fabric 142 while bringing the outermost or bottom edge 144 of the fabric and band 12 upwards to make the first roll in a first folding step, which places the band between a first and second layer of fabric and creates a new outermost edge (e.g. 144-1) of the portion of fabric being rolled. Preferably, band 12 is still in a linear orientation as the first roll is being made and the slight pressure applied to it during the rolling (or folding steps) causes it to deform into a circular orientation.
After the first roll is made, band 12 is disposed between two layers of fabric, with one side edge still exposed (although it may be hidden by the fabric layers and not be very visible). The user then repeats the folding step by holding the outermost side (or bottom edge) of band 12 between the fabric layers and bringing it upwards again to make the next roll, creating another new outermost edge (e.g. 144-2 and then 144-3) of the clothing item and disposing the band between three layers of fabric, then four layers of fabric, etc. A first roll being folded into a second roll is shown in in FIG. 12. A cross-section of apparatus 10 in a third roll is shown in FIG. 13. The folding process is repeated until the sleeve, pant leg, or neck covering is rolled to the desired amount, with each fold creating a new outermost edge of the fabric of the clothing item and placing the band between successive numbers of layers of fabric. It is noted that with neck covering the direction of the rolls is downward, rather than upward. Preferably, each roll is substantially the same width as band 12 (or covering 112), allowing the rolls to be substantially uniform in size. Once the second roll has been made, band 12 is completely encased in fabric and not externally visible. The circular or coiled orientation of band 12 applies gentle pressure on the fabric, which resists unrolling during normal arm, leg, or head movements. The pressure is not substantial enough to be uncomfortable to the user.
Those of ordinary skill in the art will also appreciate upon reading this specification and the description of preferred embodiments herein that modifications and alterations to the apparatus may be made within the scope of the invention and it is intended that the scope of the invention disclosed herein be limited only by the broadest interpretation of the appended claims to which the inventors are legally entitled.

Claims

We claim:

1. A method of rolling a portion of a clothing item, the method comprising

aligning a longitudinal side of a band with an outermost edge of the portion of the clothing item to be rolled such that the band does not extend substantially outwardly from the outermost edge;

folding the outermost edge of the portion of the clothing item and the band to place the band between a first and second layer of fabric of the clothing item and create a new outermost edge of the portion of the clothing item to be rolled;

repeating the folding step for each new outermost edge to place the band between successive numbers of layers of fabric, until the portion of the clothing item is rolled to the desired length; and

wherein the band comprises a first material that is flexible in a longitudinal direction, allowing it to be positioned in a substantially linear orientation or a substantially coiled orientation, and wherein the band optionally comprises a covering material substantially encasing the first material.

2. The method of claim 1 wherein the portion of the clothing item comprises a button near the outermost edge, the method further comprising positioning the button in a recessed area disposed at an end of the band prior to the first folding step, or positioning a hook disposed at an end of the band around the button prior to the first folding step or both.

3. The method of claim 1 further comprising connecting a first fastener disposed at a first end of the band to a second fastener disposed at the second end of the band prior to the first folding step; and

wherein the first and second fasteners comprise mating parts of a snap, magnet, hook and eye closure, or hook and loop tape.

4. The method of claim 1 wherein the aligning step is performed while the band is in a substantially linear orientation and the band changes to the substantially coiled orientation during one of the folding steps.

5. The method of claim 1 wherein the band is curved across its width such that a top surface is concave and a bottom surface is convex and wherein the aligning step further comprises placing the bottom surface against the fabric.

6. The method of claim 5 wherein the bottom surface comprises a visual indicator to differentiate it from the top surface, or one or more portions of slip-resistant material, or both.

7. The method of claim 1 wherein the band is substantially rigid in a direction perpendicular to its length.

8. The method of claim 1 wherein the first material comprises one or more layers of (a) bistable spring bands made from metal or (b) a material that is substantially flexible in a longitudinal direction, and wherein the covering material comprises one or more of fabric, leather, plastic, paper, adhesive backed material, silicone, or rubber.

9. The method of claim 8 wherein the covering material comprises a first end, a second end, and a middle portion, wherein the first and second ends are wider than the middle portion.

10. The method of claim 9 wherein the first and second ends are thicker than the middle portion.

11. An apparatus to roll a portion of a clothing item, the apparatus comprising:

a band comprising a first top surface, a first bottom surface, a first end portion, a first middle portion, and a second middle portion;

an optional covering substantially encasing the band, the covering comprising a third end portion, a fourth end portion, a second middle portion, a second top surface, and a second bottom surface;

wherein, if no covering is included, the first middle portion of the band is narrower in width than the first and second end portions of the band or, if a covering is included, the second middle portion of the covering is narrower in width than the third and forth end portions of the covering; and

wherein the band is flexible in a longitudinal direction, allowing the apparatus to be configurable between a substantially linear orientation and a substantially coiled orientation to wrap at least partially around an edge of a clothing item to be rolled.

12. The apparatus of claim 11 wherein the first top surface is concave and the first bottom surface of the band is convex when the apparatus is in a substantially linear orientation.

13. The apparatus of claim 11 further comprising:

a recessed area in at least one of the end portions, the recessed area configured to receive a button on the clothing item; or

a hook extending outwardly from at least one of the end portions, the hook configured to engage a button on the clothing item; or

both.

14. The apparatus of claim 13 wherein the recessed area comprises a first pair of side facets, each angled in a direction from the second top surface toward the second bottom surface of the covering and toward a central longitudinal axis of the covering.

15. The apparatus of claim 14 further comprising a second pair of side facets, disposed inwardly from the first pair of side facets, each of the second pair of side facets angled in a direction from the second top surface toward the second bottom surface of the covering and toward the central longitudinal axis of the covering;

wherein the angle of the first pair of side facets is different than the angle of the second pair of side facets.

16. The apparatus of claim 11 wherein the band comprises one or more layers of metal bistable spring strips and wherein the covering comprises one or more of fabric, leather, plastic, silicone, or rubber

17. The apparatus of claim 11 wherein the second bottom surface comprises a visual indicator to differentiate it from the second top surface, or one or more portions of slip-resistant material, or both.

18. The apparatus of claim 11 wherein the band is substantially rigid in a direction perpendicular to its length.

19. The apparatus of claim 11 wherein the first end portion or third end portion comprises a first fastener and the second end portion or fourth end portion comprises one or more second fasteners, the first fastener configured to engage with the one or more second fasteners to connect the two end portions together;

wherein the first and second fasteners comprise mating parts of a snap, magnet, hook and eye closure, or hook and loop tape; and

wherein when two or more second fasteners are provided, they are spaced apart longitudinally from an outer end of the second end portion to allow for adjustment of a circumference of the band when in a coiled orientation.

20. The apparatus of claim 11 wherein, if no covering is included, the width of the first middle portion of the band is around 1.4 to 5 cm, the width of each of the first and second end portions is around 1.4 to 5.4 cm, the length of the band is around 10 to 29 cm, and the thickness of the band is around 0.08 to 0.4 mm; and

wherein, if a covering is included, the width of the second middle portion of the covering is around 1.5 to 5.1 cm, the width of each of the third and fourth end portions is around 1.5 to 5.5 cm, the length of the covering is around 11 to 30 cm, and the total thickness of the apparatus is around 1 to 6 mm.