CLOTHING TREATMENT BAGS

BACKGROUND

Keeping clothing clean is an important part of daily life. However, sometimes accidents happen and clothing may become soiled. When the clothes become dirty or stained, wearers desire to clean and then reuse their clothing without the clothing becoming stained or ruined. Typically, after wearing an article of clothing or after an article of clothing becomes soiled, a wearer will take the clothing home to be washed in a washing machine or hand washed in a basin or tub.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

The present description will be understood more fully from the detailed description given below and from the accompanying drawings of various embodiments of the present embodiment, which is not to be taken to limit the present embodiment to the specific embodiments but are for explanation and understanding.

FIG. 1A illustrates a front view of the garment bag with a clothing item, according to an embodiment.

FIG. 1B illustrates a back view of the garment bag, according to an embodiment.

FIG. 1C illustrates the garment bag configured with an interior portion to fit a relatively large clothing item, according to an embodiment.

FIG. 1D illustrates the garment bag with the fastener being closed to seal the garment bag closed, according to an embodiment.

FIG. 2 illustrates the garment bag with indicia, according to an embodiment.

FIG. 3A illustrates the garment bag with an access area, according to an embodiment.

FIG. 3B illustrates the garment bag with an access area, according to an embodiment.

FIG. 4A illustrates the garment bag with a pouch, according to an embodiment.

FIG. 4B illustrates the garment bag with the pouch that includes a liquid or powder cleaning substance, according to an embodiment.

FIG. 4C illustrates the garment bag with a viewing window, according to an embodiment.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

The disclosed garment treatment and cleaning bags will become better understood through review of the following detailed description in conjunction with the figures. The detailed description and figures provide merely examples of the various inventions described herein. Those skilled in the art will understand that the disclosed examples may be varied, modified, and altered without departing from the scope of the inventions described herein. Many variations are contemplated for different applications and design considerations; however, for the sake of brevity, each and every contemplated variation is not individually described in the following detailed description.

Throughout the following detailed description, a variety of garment treatment and cleaning bag examples are provided. Related features in the examples may be identical, similar, or dissimilar in different examples. For the sake of brevity, related features will not be redundantly explained in each example. Instead, the use of related feature names will cue the reader that the feature with a related feature name may be similar to the related feature in an example explained previously. Features specific to a given example will be described in that particular example. The reader should understand that a given feature need not be the same or similar to the specific portrayal of a related feature in any given figure or example.

Many individuals expend a relatively large amount of money on clothing. The clothing may be fashion attire, work attire, children's attire, leisure attire, and so forth. Given the investment of money in the clothing and to maintain an acceptable outward appearance, keeping clothing clean and usable is a priority to the individuals. While an individual may make an effort to keep his or her clothing clean and presentable, sometimes accidents happen and the clothing may become soiled. For example, the individual may spill food or beverages on their clothing while eating that stains the clothing, the individual may be an infant and have an accident that stains the clothing, the individual may perform daily activities including working or exercising that may soil the clothing, and so forth.

When the clothing become dirty or stained, the individual may desire to clean the clothing to remove the dirt or stain and then reuse the clothing. Typically, after wearing an article of clothing or after an article of clothing becomes soiled, a wearer will take the clothing home to be washed in a washing machine or wash the clothing by hand in a basin or tub. However, as the individual performs different tasks and wears the clothing at different locations, a washing machine, a tub, or a basin may not be available to wash the clothing.

When the washing machine, the tube, and/or the basin is not available, the individual may use other pre-washing treatment devices and/or washing devices to avoid a stain or soiled area from permanently damaging or ruining the clothing. For example, the individual may use a detergent stick or cleaning stick to rub on to stains to attempt to prevent the stains from permanently ruining the clothing. In another example, the individual may use readily available substances such as club soda or a napkin to attempt to remove the stains. These conventional devices and substances may not fully remove the stains or may not effectively work on relatively large stains. Additionally, the conventional devices and methods may not remove the stains, but rather attempt to limit the permanency of the stains until the clothing may be fully cleaned using a washing machine, a tub, or a basin.

Implementations of the disclosure address the above-mentioned deficiencies and other deficiencies by providing a method, system, device, and/or apparatus to treat and/or clean soiled, stained, or dirty clothing. The method, system, device, or apparatus may utilize a garment treatment and cleaning bag, also referred to herein as a garment bag. The garment bag may be a portable bag that may be used in virtually any location or any environment. In one embodiment, the garment bag may be a single-use bag. In another embodiment, the garment bag may be a multi-use bag. In another embodiment, the garment bag may be a leak-proof bag that seals in cleaning liquids, odors, and/or other substances. For example, the garment bag may seal in the clothing, any staining substances, odors from the staining substances, and washing or treatment substances for washing the soiled, stained, or dirty clothing. One advantage of the garment bag may be to provide a container for an individual to store stained clothing and eliminate any odors that permeate from the clothing. Another advantage of the garment bag may be to provide an individual with a portable container to pre-treat and/or wash the stained or soiled clothing.

FIG. 1A illustrates a front view of the garment bag 100 with a clothing item 102, according to an embodiment. In one embodiment, the garment bag 100 may be to have a portable and leak-proof bag configured to pre-soak or clean the clothing item 102.

The garment bag 100 may include a first side 104, a second side 118 (as shown in FIG. 1B) opposite the first side 104, and an opening 106 between the first side 104 and second side 118. In one embodiment, one or more edges of the first side 104 and the second side 118 may be permanently fastened together. In one embodiment, the first side 104 may be a first sheet of material and the second side 118 may be a second sheet of material. In another embodiment, the first side 104 may be a first portion of a single folded sheet and the second side 118 may be a second portion of the single folded sheet.

In one example, the first side 104 and the second side 118 may each include a bottom edge 110, a first side edge 112, a second side edge 114, and a top edge 116. In one embodiment, the bottom edge 110, the first side edge 112, and the second side edge 114 may be permanently fastened together, such as by a weld, heat, an adhesive, and so forth. The bottom edge 110 may be located at the bottom of garment bag 100, the first side edge 112 may be located along a right side of the garment bag 100, the second side edge 114 may be located along a left side of the garment bag 100, and the top edge 116 may be located at the top of garment bag 100. The bottom edge 110, the first side edge 112, the second side edge 114, and the top edge 116 of the first side 104 and the second side 118 may define or help define the shape and size of the garment bag 100.

In one embodiment, the garment bag 100 may be relatively thin, such as 1 millimeter (mm) to 10 mm thick, to form a garment bag 100 that is an envelope. In another embodiment, the garment bag 100 may be in a rectangular shape, where the opening 106 is along the top edge 116 of the rectangular shape. The shape and size of the garment bag 100 are not intended to be limiting. For example, the garment bag 100 may include additional sides, may be circular or polygonal shaped, or may be relatively thick (such as a thickness that exceeds 10 mm).

The garment bag 100 may include a fastener 108 at or approximate the opening 106. In one embodiment, the fastener 108 may fasten at least a portion of the first side 104 to the second side 118 to create a seal between the first side 104 and the second side 118. For example, the opening 106 may provide access into an interior portion or cavity of the garment bag 100. In one embodiment, the interior portion may provide a space between the front side 104 and the back side 118 to store the clothing item 102 or other objects. In another embodiment, the interior portion may provide a space between the front side 104 and the back side 118 to store a clean substance, a detergent, a fragrant substance, an odor elimination substance, a liquid, and so forth.

In one embodiment, the opening 106 may be a slit or slot extending across a portion of the top edge of the first side 104 or the second side 118 of the garment bag 100. The slit or slot may be located along the top edge 116 or approximate the top edge 116 so that the slit or slot may not interfere with the watertight seal or an airtight seal. In another embodiment, the opening 106 may be an unsealed or disconnected portion between the first side 104 and the second side 118.

The fastener 108 may be a sealant, an adhesive, hooks and loops, a press seal, a pressure seal, a magnetic seal, a zip-top, a mechanical fastener, and so forth to close and seal the garment bag 100. In one embodiment, the fastener 108 may seal the opening 106 of the garment bag 100 closed to create a watertight seal or an airtight interior portion or interior storage area. For example, the fastener 108 may be placed on the first side 104 of the garment bag 100 in an area approximate the opening 106, such as an area directly above or below the opening 106 or at a defined distance above or below the opening 106. In one example, the defined distance above or below the opening 106 may be between 1 mm and 10 mm from the opening 106.

In one embodiment, the fastener 108 may be an adhesive strip, where the opening 106 bisects a length of the adhesive strip such that adhesive is on both sides of the opening 106. The adhesive strip may include a tape liner to protect the adhesive strip from prematurely adhering to a portion of the garment bag 100, itself, or another object. In another embodiment, a single adhesive strip may be located on the first side 104 or second side 118 of the garment bag 100 at an interior portion or interior storage area of the garment bag 100. In another embodiment, a single adhesive strip may be located on the first side 104 or second side 118 of the garment bag 100 at an exterior portion of the garment bag 100. The adhesive strip may then be used to seal the first side 104 to the second side 118, or otherwise seal the garment bag 100. In another embodiment, the garment bag 100 may include two or more adhesive strips on the interior portion or interior storage area of the garment bag 100. In another embodiment, the garment bag 100 may include two or more adhesive strips on an outer portion of the first side 104 and/or the second side 118. In one example the adhesive strips may adhere to each other, or adhere to other parts of the garment bag 100. In another embodiment, the fastener 108 may be an adhesive on one or both of the first side 104 and/or the second side 118 of the garment bag 100.

FIG. 1B illustrates a back view of the garment bag 100, according to an embodiment. Some of the features in FIG. 1B are the same or similar to some of the features in FIG. 1A as noted by same reference numbers, unless expressly described otherwise. In one embodiment, the garment bag 100 may be a single sheet of material to form the first side 104 and the second side 118. For example, the single sheet of material may be folded in half or double over on itself to create the first side 104 and the second side 118. In this example, one or more of the edges 110-116 of the first side 104 and the second side 118 may not be sealed together. The folded edge(s) of the material between the first side 104 and second side 118 may be watertight seal or an airtight and form at least a part of the interior portion or interior storage area.

As discussed above, the bottom edge 110 of the first side 104 may be connected or fastened to the bottom edge 110 of the second side 118, the first side edge 112 of the first side 104 may be connected or fastened to the first side edge 112 of the second side 118, the second side edge 114 of the first side 104 may be connected or fastened to the second side edge 114 of the second side 118, and the top edge 116 of the first side 104 may be connected or fastened to the top edge 116 of the second side 118.

In one example, when the top edge 116 of the first side 104 and the second side 118 are connected or fastened together, the top edge 116 may include the opening 106. For example, after the top edge 116 of the first side 104 and the second side 118 are connected or fastened together, a slit or slot may be cut into the joined portion of the top edge 116 to form the opening 106. In another example, when the top edge 116 of the first side 104 and the second side 118 are connected or fastened together, a portion of the top edge 116 between the first side 104 and the second side 118 may not initially be fastened together until an individual uses the fastener 108 to fasten that portion of the top edge 116 of the first side 104 to the second side 118. In another example, the opening 106 may not be along the top edge 116 but may be an opening in a top portion of at least a portion of the first side 104 or the second side 118. In another embodiment, the top edge 116 of the first side 104 may not be connected or fastened to the top edge 116 of the second side 118 until an individual uses the fastener 108 to fasten the top edge 116 of the first side 104 to the top edge 116 of the second side 118.

In one embodiment, one or more of the bottom edge 110, the first side edge 112, the second side edge 114, or the top edge 116 of the first side 104 and the second side 118 may be may be joined together to form a watertight seal and/or an airtight seal. The watertight seal or the airtight seal may be made in any way, including but not limited to plastic welding, adhesive bonding, and so forth. For example, in plastic welding, an edge of the first side 104 and the second side 118 are heated and pressed together to create a seal. In adhesive bonding, an adhesive is placed on either one or both edges of the first side 104 and the second side 118, which are then pressed together to create the seal.

In another embodiment, the first side 104 may be made from the same material as the second side 118. In another embodiment, the first side 104 may be a made of a first material and the second side 118 may be made from a second material that is different than the first material. For example, the first material may be polyurethane and the second material may be plastic. In another embodiment, the first side 104 and/or the second side 118 may be made from multiple materials. In another embodiment, a first portion of the first side 104 or the second side 118 may be made from a first material and a second portion of the first side 104 or the second side 118 may be made from a second material. For example, the first side 104 may include a first portion that is a non-transparent polyurethane material and the second portion may be a transparent plastic material so that the garment bag 100 may include a see-through measurement window to indicate an amount of water or other substances to put into the garment bag 100 to pre-treat, pre-wash, or wash the clothing item 102 in FIG. 1A.

In another embodiment, a thickness of the first side 104 may be the same as a thickness of the second side 18. In another embodiment, the thickness of the first side 104 may be different than the thickness of the second side 118. As discussed below, one of the first side 104 or the second side 118 may be thinner to allow an individual to open or tear the garment bag 100 while the other side may be thicker to be more durable. In one example, the first side 104 may be 2 mm thick and the second side 118 may be 4 mm thick, or vice versa. In another example, the first side 104 may be 4 mm thick and the second side 118 may be 8 mm thick, or vice versa. The thickness of the first side 104 and the second side 118 is not intended to be limiting. For example, the thickness of the first side 104 and/or the second side 118 may vary based on the characteristic of clothes or other objects stored in the garment bag 100 and/or the characteristics of the garment bag 100.

FIG. 1C illustrates the garment bag 100 configured with an interior portion to fit a relatively large clothing item 120, according to an embodiment. Some of the features in FIG. 1C are the same or similar to some of the features in FIG. 1A-B as noted by same reference numbers, unless expressly described otherwise. As discussed above, the garment bag 100 may include an interior portion or cavity for an individual to store one or more clothing items. In one embodiment, the garment bag 100 may be airtight to reduce or eliminate odors from the clothing items permeating outside the interior portion or cavity. For example, when the clothing item is a soiled infant outfit as shown in FIG. 1A where the infant's diaper has failed, an individual may place the soiled infant outfit in the garment bag 100 so that the odor from the infant outfit does not permeate. The individual may then carry on with their activities until they are able to wash the infant's outfit.

As discussed above, an individual may place soiled, dirty, or stained clothing item(s) in the garment bag 100 to pre-treat, pre-wash, and/or wash the soiled portion, dirty portion, and/or stained portion of the clothing item(s). To pre-treat, pre-wash, and/or wash the clothing items, once the clothing item(s) are placed in the garment bag 100, the individual may add a threshold amount of a cleaning substance into the interior portion of the garment bag 100. In one embodiment, the cleaning substance may be a cleaning agent, laundry detergent, fragment sustenance, odor neutralizers, water, chemicals, and so forth. In one example, the cleaning substance may be a threshold amount of laundry detergent and a threshold amount of water. In another example, the cleaning substance may be a pre-mixed substance that includes ingredients to pre-treat, pre-wash, and/or wash the clothing item(s).

In one embodiment, the threshold amount of cleaning substance may vary based on the characteristics of the clothing item(s). In another embodiment, the type of cleaning substance may vary based on the characteristics of the clothing item(s). The characteristics of the clothing item(s) may include a size of the clothing item(s), a shape of the clothing item(s), a material type of the clothing item(s), a color or colors of the clothing item(s), how delicate the clothing item(s) may be (also referred to as a delicacy level), and so forth. For example, when the clothing item 102 is an infant's white pajamas as shown in FIG. 1A, the cleaning substance may be a relatively small amount of bleach, such as ⅓ of a cup of bleach. In another example, when the clothing item 120 is an adult male t-shirt with multiple colors, the cleaning substance may be a laundry detergent and water mixture.

In another embodiment, the characteristics of the garment bag 100 may vary based on the characteristics of the clothing item(s). The characteristics of the garment bag 100 may include a size of the garment bag 100, the first side 104, or the second side 118; a shape of the garment bag 100, the first side 104, or the second side 118; a material of the garment bag 100, the first side 104, or the second side 118; a location of the opening 106 for the garment bag 100, the first side 104, or the second side 118; the type of fastener 108 for the garment bag 100, the first side 104, or the second side 118; and so forth. For example, when the cleaning substance is bleach for the white infant's outfit 102 in FIG. 1A, the garment bag 100 may be relatively small to be a portable bag that may fit in a purse and the garment bag 100 may be a bleach-proof material so that the bleach does not leak once the infant's white outfit 102 is sealed in the garment bag 100. In another example, when the clothing item is the adult mail t-shirt 120, the garment bag 100 may be relatively large and may be a water-proof material so that the laundry detergent and water does not leak once the adult male t-shirt 120 is sealed in the garment bag 100. As discussed above, the garment bag 100 may be made of a waterproof material, incorporate waterproofing elements in the material or applied to the material, a plastic material, a rubber material, a polypropylene material, a polyurethane material, a polyethylene material, and so forth.

In one embodiment, for a relatively small garment bag 100 for infant or children's clothes 102 the bottom edge 110 of the garment bag 100 may be 11 mm in length, the first side edge 112 of the garment bag 100 may be 12.5 mm in length, the second side edge 114 of the garment bag 100 may be 12.5 mm in length, and the top edge 116 of the garment bag 100 with the fastener 108 may be 12 mm in length. In another embodiment, for a relatively large garment bag 100 for adult clothes 120 the bottom edge 110 of the garment bag 100 may be 15 mm in length, the first side edge 112 of the garment bag may be 16.5 mm in length, the second side edge 114 of the garment bag may be 16.5 mm in length, and the top edge 116 of the garment bag with the fastener 108 may be 16 mm in length. The sizes and shapes of the garment bag 100 are not intended to be limiting and may vary. For example, as discussed above, the size and/or shape of the garment bag 100 may vary based on the characteristics of the clothing item(s).

FIG. 1D illustrates the garment bag 100 with the fastener 108 being fastened to seal the garment bag 100 closed, according to an embodiment. Some of the features in FIG. 1D are the same or similar to some of the features in FIG. 1A-C as noted by same reference numbers, unless expressly described otherwise. In one embodiment, the fastener 108 may be a flap of material that may be folded over the opening 106 to form a seal between the first side 104 and the second side 118 of the garment bag 100. In one example, the flap may include a strip of adhesive (such as a tape liner) with a cover. To seal the garment bag 100 closed, the cover or tape liner may be peeled off the strip of adhesive and the strip of adhesive may be pressed against the first side 104 or the second side 118 of the garment bag 100.

In one embodiment, to seal the garment bag 100, after the tape liner is peeled from the fastener 108, the adhesive of the fastener 108 may be folded in half, down from the top edge 116, starting from a center section of the fastener 108. An individual may then apply pressure to the adhesive of the fastener 108 starting from the center section. The pressure may then be applied to the rest of the adhesive radiating out and away from the center section until the entire adhesive adheres to the garment bag 100. In another embodiment, the pressure may be applied starting at any portion of the fastener 108. In another embodiment, the garment bag 100 may include multiple adhesive strips that may be pressed together to form a seal. As discussed above, the type of fastener 108 is not intended to be limiting and other types of fasteners 108 may be used to seal the opening 106 closed.

In one example, sealing the garment bag 100 using the fastener 108 may include opening the garment bag 100, placing a threshold amount of cleaning substance into an interior portion of the garment bag 100, inserting an article of clothing into the garment bag 100, and sealing the garment bag 100 closed with the fastener 108. The sealed garment bag 100 may be watertight and/or airtight.

In one embodiment, when a clothing item is sealed in the garment bag 100, an individual may agitate the cleaning substance and/or the clothing item to dissolve and disperse cleaning substance. In another embodiment, the individual may agitate the cleaning substance and/or the clothing item to pre-treat, pre-soak, and/or wash the clothing item. In another embodiment, the garment bag 100 may be sealed to prevent leaking or spilling of the cleaning substance from the garment bag 100. In another embodiment, the interior portion of the garment bag 100 may include protuberances, nodules, knobs, bumps, lumps, and so forth.

FIG. 2 illustrates the garment bag 100 with indicia 202 and 204, according to an embodiment. Some of the features in FIG. 2 are the same or similar to some of the features in FIG. 1A-D as noted by same reference numbers, unless expressly described otherwise. In one embodiment, the garment bag 100 may include indicia printed, inscribed, etched, silk screened, and so forth onto a surface of the garment bag 100. For ease and simplicity of explanation, the front side 104 of the garment bag 100 is discussed in reference to the indicia, but the indicia may be similarly applied to the second side 118 of the garment bag 100.

As discussed above, the garment bag 100 may be used to store, pre-treat, pre-wash, and/or wash clothing items. To aid an individual in using the garment bag 100, the garment bag 100 may include the indicia 202 that may provide usage instructions for the individual. In one example, the indicia 202 may include multiple usage instructions based on the characteristics of the clothing items and/or the garment bag 100. In another example, the indicia 202 may include different usage instructions based on the characteristics of the clothing items and/or the garment bag 100. In another embodiment, the garment bag 100 may include other indicia 204. The other indicia 204 may include a logo, patterns or designs, disclaimers, and so forth.

FIG. 3A illustrates the garment bag 100 with an access area 302, according to an embodiment. Some of the features in FIG. 3A are the same or similar to some of the features in FIG. 1A-D as noted by same reference numbers, unless expressly described otherwise. For ease and simplicity of explanation, the front side 104 of the garment bag 100 is discussed in reference to the access area 302, but the access area 302 may be similarly applied to the second side 118 of the garment bag 100.

As discussed above, the fastener 108 may seal the garment bag 100 closed. In one embodiment, the sealed garment bag 100 may be reopened by unfastening the fastener 108. For example, when the fastener is a zip top or hooks and loops, the fastener 108 may be fastened and unfastened multiple times so that the garment bag 100 is reusable. In another embodiment, the sealed garment bag 100 may be a single-use bag where the fastener 108 permanently seals the garment bag 100 closed and the garment bag 100 may not be reopened at the fastener 108. An advantage of permanently sealing the garment bag 100 closed by be to avoid leaking that by may occur over time with a re-sealable fastener.

When the fastener 108 permanently seals the garment bag 100 closed, the garment bag 100 may include an access area 302 for the user to access a clothing item in the interior portion of the garment bag 100. In one example, the access area 302 may be a perforated area or portion of the garment bag 100. The perforated portion may include minute holes that allow a user to tear open the garment bag 100 at the access area 302. The minute holes may be below a threshold size such that liquid or odor particles may not pass through the holes. In another example, the access area 302 may be a weakened area or portion of the garment bag 100 that may be an easier area for an individual to tear open the garment bag 100, relative to the other portions of the garment bag 100.

In one embodiment the access area 302 may be located along or approximate to the bottom edge 110, the first side edge 112, the second side edge 114, or the top edge 116. In another embodiment, the garment bag 100 may include multiple access areas 302. In another embodiment, the access area 302 may be located on the first side 104 or the second side 118 of the garment bag 100.

FIG. 3B illustrates the garment bag 100 with an access area 304, according to an embodiment. Some of the features in FIG. 3B are the same or similar to some of the features in FIG. 1A-D as noted by same reference numbers, unless expressly described otherwise. For ease and simplicity of explanation, the front side 104 of the garment bag 100 is discussed in reference to the access area 304, but the access area 304 may be similarly applied to the second side 118 of the garment bag 100.

As discussed above, the fastener 108 may permanently seal the garment bag 100 closed so that the garment bag 100 may not be reopened at the fastener 108. When the fastener 108 permanently seals the garment bag 100 closed, the garment bag 100 may include an access area 304 for the user to access a clothing item in the interior portion of the garment bag 100. In one example, the access area 304 may be a designated portion of the garment bag 100 that may be cut or torn open. The access area 304 may be include indicia or another visual designation that indicates to a user to cut or tear the garment bag 100 at the access area 304 to avoid damaging clothing items or spilling cleaning substances.

In one embodiment the access area 304 may be located along or approximate to the bottom edge 110, the first side edge 112, the second side edge 114, or the top edge 116. In another embodiment, the garment bag 100 may include multiple access areas 304. In another embodiment, the access area 304 may be located on the first side 104 or the second side 116 of the garment bag 100.

FIG. 4A illustrates the garment bag 100 with a pouch 402, according to an embodiment. Some of the features in FIG. 4A are the same or similar to some of the features in FIG. 1A-D as noted by same reference numbers, unless expressly described otherwise. For ease and simplicity of explanation, the front side 104 of the garment bag 100 is discussed in reference to the pouch 402, but the pouch 402 may be similarly applied to the second side 118 of the garment bag 100.

As discussed above, an individual may use the garment bag 100 to store, pre-treat, pre-wash, and/or wash clothing items. To pre-treat, pre-wash, and or wash clothing items, a threshold amount of the cleaning substance 404 may be added to the interior portion of the garment bag 100. In one embodiment, the garment bag 100 may include a pocket or a pouch 402 that may hold the cleaning substance 404, such as the threshold amount of the cleaning substance 404. In one example, the pouch 402 may be part of the exterior surface of the garment bag 100. When the pouch 402 is part of the exterior surface of the garment bag 100, an individual may open the pouch 402, insert the cleaning substance 404 into the interior portion of the garment bag 100, and seal the garment bag 100 so that the cleaning substance may pre-treat, pre-wash, and/or wash clothing items. In one embodiment, the cleaning substance 404 may be a pod or shell with cleaning materials. In another embodiment, the cleaning substance 404 may be a tablet or solid piece of cleaning materials.

In another embodiment, the pouch 402 may be part of the interior portion or interior surface of the garment bag 100. In one example, an individual may open the pouch 402 and place the cleaning substance 404 into the interior portion of the garment bag 100 where the clothing items are located so that the cleaning substance may pre-treat, pre-wash, and/or wash clothing items.

In another embodiment, the pouch 402 may dissolve when a liquid, such as water, is added to the interior portion of the garment bag 100. For example, the pouch 402 may be made of water-soluble paper that may dissolve when water is added into the interior portion of the garment bag 100. In this example, when the pouch 402 dissolves, the cleaning substance 404 may combine with the water to pre-treat, pre-wash, and/or wash clothing items. In another embodiment, the pouch 402 may dissolve or tear open when agitated. For example, the pouch 402 may be made of relatively thin or delicate material and when an individual agitates the pouch 402, the pouch 402 may dissolve or open to release the cleaning substance 404. In one example, an individual may agitate the garment bag 100 as they agitate clothing items to pre-treat, pre-wash, and/or wash clothing items.

FIG. 4B illustrates the garment bag 100 with the pouch 402 that includes a liquid or powder cleaning substance 406, according to an embodiment. Some of the features in FIG. 4B are the same or similar to some of the features in FIGS. 1A-D and 4A as noted by same reference numbers, unless expressly described otherwise. For ease and simplicity of explanation, the front side 104 of the garment bag 100 is discussed in reference to the pouch 402, but the pouch 402 may be similarly applied to the second side 118 of the garment bag 100.

As discussed above, an individual may use the garment bag 100 to store, pre-treat, pre-wash, and/or wash clothing items. To pre-treat, pre-wash, and or wash clothing items, a threshold amount of cleaning substance may be added to the interior portion of the garment bag 100. In one embodiment, the garment bag 100 may include a pouch 402 that may hold the liquid or powder cleaning substance 406, such as the threshold amount of the liquid or powder cleaning substance 406. The pouch 402 may be part of the interior portion of the garment bag 100. In one example, an individual may open the pouch 402 and the liquid or powder cleaning substance 406 may pour into the interior portion of the garment bag 100 where the clothing items are located so that the liquid or powder cleaning substance 406 may pre-treat, pre-wash, and/or wash clothing items.

In another embodiment, the pouch 402 may dissolve when a liquid, such as water, is added to the interior portion of the garment bag 100. For example, the pouch 402 may be made of water-soluble paper that may dissolve when water is added into the interior portion of the garment bag 100. In this example, when the pouch 402 dissolves, the liquid or powder cleaning substance 406 may combine with the water to pre-treat, pre-wash, and/or wash clothing items. In another embodiment, the pouch 402 may dissolve or tear open when agitated. For example, the pouch 402 may be made of relatively thin or delicate material and when an individual agitates the pouch 402, the pouch may dissolve or open to release the liquid or powder cleaning substance 406. In one example, an individual may agitate the garment bag 100 as they agitate clothing items to pre-treat, pre-wash, and/or wash clothing items.

FIG. 4C illustrates the garment bag 100 with a viewing window 408, according to an embodiment. Some of the features in FIG. 4C are the same or similar to some of the features in FIG. 1A-D as noted by same reference numbers, unless expressly described otherwise. For ease and simplicity of explanation, the front side 104 of the garment bag 100 is discussed in reference to the viewing window 408, but the viewing window 408 may be similarly applied to the second side 118 of the garment bag 100.

As discussed above, an individual may use the garment bag 100 to store, pre-treat, pre-wash, and/or wash clothing items. To pre-treat, pre-wash, and/or wash clothing items, an individual may add a cleaning substance and/or water 418 to the interior portion of the garment bag 100. As also discussed above, the amount of cleaning substance and/or water 418 may vary based on the characteristics of the garment bag 100 and/or the clothing item in the garment bag 100. To aid the individual using the garment bag 100 is measuring the amount of cleaning substance and/or water 418 to put into the interior portion of the garment bag 100, the garment bag 100 may include the viewing window 408. The viewing window 408 may be a translucent, transparent, or see-through portion of the garment bag 100 that the individual may use to view the interior portion of the garment bag 100. As the individual puts the cleaning substance and/or water 418 into the interior portion of the garment bag 100, the individual may be able to visually see how much cleaning substance and/or water 418 has been added into the interior portion by viewing the viewing window 408.

In one embodiment, the viewing window 408 may extend across at least part of a bottom portion of the garment bag 100. In another embodiment, the viewing window 408 may extend across at least part of the side portion of the garment bag 100. In another embodiment, the viewing window 408 may extend across at least part of the top portion of the garment bag 100.

In another embodiment, the viewing window 408 may extend from the bottom portion of the garment bag 100 toward the top portion of the garment bag 100.

The viewing window 408 may also include one or more level indicators 410-416 to indicate an amount of cleaning substance and/or water 418 to add into the interior portion of the garment bag 100 for pre-treating, pre-washing, and/or washing clothing items. For example, the first level indicator 410 may be located at a first threshold distance from the bottom of the viewing window 408 to indicate to a user when a first amount of cleaning substance and/or water 418 has been added to the interior portion of the garment bag 100. In another example, the second level indicator 412 may be located at a second threshold distance from the bottom of the viewing window 408 to indicate to a user when a second amount of cleaning substance and/or water 418 has been added to the interior portion of the garment bag 100. In another example, the third level indicator 414 may be located at a third threshold distance from the bottom of the viewing window 408 to indicate to a user when a third amount of cleaning substance and/or water 418 has been added to the interior portion of the garment bag 100. In another example, the fourth level indicator 416 may be located at a fourth threshold distance from the bottom of the viewing window 408 to indicate to a user when a fourth amount of cleaning substance and/or water 418 has been added to the interior portion of the garment bag 100. In one example the level indicators 410-416 may be horizontal lines that extend horizontally across at least a portion of the viewing window 408.

In one embodiment, the first level indicator 410 may be associated with a first characteristic of the garment bag 100 and/or a clothing item. In another embodiment, the second level indicator 412 may be associated with a second characteristic of the garment bag 100 and/or a clothing item. In another embodiment, the third level indicator 414 may be associated with a third characteristic of the garment bag 100 and/or a clothing item. In another embodiment, the fourth level indicator 416 may be associated with a fourth characteristic of the garment bag 100 and/or a clothing item. In another embodiment, one or more of the level indicators 410-416 may include indicia indicating the associated characteristics. In another embodiment, the level indicators 410-416 may be indicia that are located at different locations of the viewing window 408.

The disclosure above encompasses multiple distinct embodiments with independent utility. While these embodiments have been disclosed in a particular form, the specific embodiments disclosed and illustrated above are not to be considered in a limiting sense as numerous variations are possible. The subject matter of the embodiments includes the novel and non-obvious combinations and sub-combinations of the various elements, features, functions and/or properties disclosed above and inherent to those skilled in the art pertaining to such embodiments. Where the disclosure or subsequently filed claims recite “a” element, “a first” element, or any such equivalent term, the disclosure or claims is to be understood to incorporate one or more such elements, neither requiring nor excluding two or more such elements.

Applicant(s) reserves the right to submit claims directed to combinations and sub-combinations of the disclosed embodiments that are believed to be novel and non-obvious. Embodiments embodied in other combinations and sub-combinations of features, functions, elements and/or properties may be claimed through amendment of those claims or presentation of new claims in the present application or in a related application. Such amended or new claims, whether they are directed to the same embodiment or a different embodiment and whether they are different, broader, narrower or equal in scope to the original claims, are to be considered within the subject matter of the embodiments described herein.

CLOTHING TREATMENT BAGS

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Provisional Applications (1)