Patent Application
20100126050
Not Applicable.
In the past, ironing board covers have been made from many different materials. During shipping and marketing ironing board covers are typically placed in packages, usually plastic, to protect the cover from damage.
However, the plastic storage packages add additional cost to the product. Further, they are typically discarded after purchase of the product. Disposal of these plastic packages is wasteful and potentially detrimental to the environment.
Therefore, there is a long felt need for a ironing board cover with an attachable pouch which protects the cover for shipping, packaging, and storing, and for methods of use.
In the accompanying drawings which form part of the specification:
Corresponding reference numerals indicate corresponding parts throughout the several figures of the drawings.
The following detailed description illustrates the invention by way of example and not by way of limitation. The description clearly enables one skilled in the art to make and use the invention, describes several embodiments, adaptations, variations, alternatives, and uses of the invention, including what is presently believed to be the best mode of carrying out the invention. Additionally, it is to be understood that the invention is not limited in its application to the details of construction and the arrangements of components set forth in the following description or illustrated in the drawings. The invention is capable of other embodiments and of being practiced or being carried out in various ways. Also, it is to be understood that the phraseology and terminology used herein is for the purpose of description and should not be regarded as limiting.
As shown in
The cover 12 is sized and shaped to fit over an ironing board 18. The ironing board 18 is embodied as a typical ironing board with a generally rectangular rear portion 20 and a narrowing nose portion 22, which is supported by collapsible legs 24. However, those skilled in the art will recognize that any size or shape of ironing board can be used. The cover 12 also includes a binding 26, including, but not limited to a bungee cord, elastic, or drawstring, positioned around the perimeter of the cover 12 for securing the cover 12 to the ironing board 18. When the cover 12 is installed on the ironing board 18, the binding 26 contracts on the underside of the ironing board 18 to secure the cover 12.
The cover 12 and pouch 14 can be made of cotton as known in the art, or can be made from a material with burn/scorch resistant characteristics, such as disclosed in U.S. Pat. No. 5,566,481. In other embodiments, the cover 12 includes multiple layers of materials, including but not limited to a layer of foam padding.
The pouch 14 includes a generally rectangular first panel 27 and a generally rectangular second panel 29. The first and second panels 27 and 29 are attached, such as by stitching, along three edges, thereby forming an opening 31 sized and shaped for receiving ironing accessories during use and for receiving the cover 12 during storage. The first panel 27 has an extended portion 33 that extends beyond the second panel 29 for attachment to the side portion 16 of the cover 12. The extended portion 33 positions the opening 31 at a predetermined distance below the cover 12 to provide easier access to the opening 31. In addition, the extended portion 33 provides greater flexibility so that the cover 12 can insert deeper into the pouch 14 as the cover pivots into the storage position.
A tab 28 attaches to the side portion 16 of the cover 12 and in a position adjacent to the pouch 14 and at about a midpoint of the upper edge 19 of the extended portion 33. The second panel 29 defines a slot 30 positioned at about a midpoint of an upper edge of the second panel 29. In this position, the slot 30 is sized and shaped to receive the tab 28 when the cover 12 is folded into the compact arrangement and placed within the pouch 14 in the storage position. When the cover 12 is folded into the compact arrangement and placed within the pouch 14, the tab 28 on the cover 12 can insert through the slot 30 on the second panel 29 to secure the cover 12 within the pouch 14. In this way, the pouch 14 serves as an outer protective package for the cover 12. Therefore, no additional protective packaging is necessary for transport and display in a retail setting. Also, the tab 28 can be engaged by the user for transport or hanging.
When the cover 12 is removed from the pouch 14, the cover 12 can be unfolded into the expanded arrangement and placed over the ironing board 18, with the binding 26 securing the cover 12 underneath the ironing board 18. (
Those skilled in the art will recognize that other appropriate means of securing the pouch 14 can be used, including but not limited to adhesive or removable fasteners, such as snaps or Velcro® brand fabric hook and loop fastener materials. While the present embodiment shows a generally rectangular shaped pouch 14 secured to the side portion of the cover 12, other shapes, including but not limited to circular, trapezoidal, triangular, or oblong can be provided. Further, other sizes and locations can be used.
Changes can be made in the above constructions without departing from the scope of the invention, it is intended that all matter contained in the above description or shown in the accompanying drawings shall be interpreted as illustrative and not in a limiting sense. For example, in an alternate embodiment, the pouch is removable from the cover, such as with snaps, Velcro®, or other fastening device.
This application is related to U.S. Provisional Patent Application No. 61/117,883 filed Nov. 25, 2008 from which priority is claimed, and is hereby incorporated by reference.
| Number | Date | Country | |
|---|---|---|---|
| 61117883 | Nov 2008 | US |
