Storage Pouch

Abstract

A protective storage pouch is provided. The storage pouch includes a flexible fabric member including a pocket along a lower end for receiving items therein. The fabric member includes flexible regions that enable the fabric member to fold completely around an item inserted into the pocket, enclosing it therein. A flexible fastening tether affixed to a rear of the pocket enables the pocket to be secured in a folded configuration around the item, thereby providing it constant protection. The fastening tether includes a length greater than the length of the fabric member for facilitating the fastening of the same around the fabric member. In one embodiment, the fabric member includes a pair of quilted fabrics connected by stitching for preventing unraveling of the fabric and providing a more durable and protective storage pouch.

Description

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

The present invention relates to pouches. More specifically, the present invention relates to a storage pouch configured to receive and store ornaments therein.

Many individuals utilize ornaments for decorative purposes. Some ornaments can be very fragile and easily broken. Such ornaments are often stored in bubble wrap, towels, newspapers, tissue, or other types of protective coverings in order to preserve the integrity of the ornament. One drawback to these types of protective coverings, however, is that they are bulky and can lead to a cluttered, unorganized storage space. Moreover, these protective coverings do not include a way in which to secure the ornament therein. Indeed, these coverings are prone to becoming loose and exposing the ornament, thereby increasing the chance in which they may break. Another drawback is that more fragile ornaments may not be adequately protected by some of these coverings as they are naturally thin, thus increasing the likelihood that the stored will break.

The use of a protective coverings for various different delicate items is known in the art. More specifically, protective pouches heretofore devised and utilized are known to consist basically of familiar, expected and obvious structural configurations, notwithstanding the myriad of designs encompassed by the crowded art which have been developed for the fulfillment of countless objectives and requirements.

While these devices fulfill their respective, particular objectives and requirements, the aforementioned patents do not disclose a flexible storage pouch that includes a pocket configured to receive ornaments therein and a tether for securing the pouch around the ornament, thereby providing protective covering that protects ornaments from breaking.

In these respects, the storage pouch according to the present invention substantially departs from the conventional concepts and designs of the prior art, and in so doing provides an apparatus primarily developed for the purpose of providing a storage pouch capable of protectively storing and housing various ornaments or other delicate items therein.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

In view of the foregoing disadvantages inherent in the known types of pouches now present in the known art, the present invention provides a storage pouch wherein the same can be utilized for providing convenience for the user when storing ornaments or other delicate items. The present invention comprises a planar member including an upper end, a lower end, and a pair of opposing sides, conjunctively defining an upper surface, a rear surface, a first region, a second region, and a central region. The first region, the second region, and the central region extend along the longitudinal length of the planar member. The first region and the second region are configured to fold radially inwardly onto the central region into a folded configuration. A pocket disposed on the lower end of the planar member extends widthwise relative to a longitudinal axis of the planar member and linearly from one side to the opposing side. The pocket includes a perimeter edge that defines an opening for providing access to an interior volume configured to receive an item therein. The pocket is positioned parallel relative to the upper end and includes an area and height less than the area and height of the planar member. A fastening tether is disposed on an upper portion of the rear surface and is positioned parallel relative to the pair of opposing sides of the planar member. The fastening tether is composed of a unitary piece of flexible material that includes a longitudinal length greater than the longitudinal length of the planar member and a width less than the width of the planar member.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

Although the characteristic features of this invention will be particularly pointed out in the claims, the invention itself and manner in which it may be made and used may be better understood after a review of the following description, taken in connection with the accompanying drawings wherein like numeral annotations are provided throughout.

FIG. 1 shows a front perspective view of the storage pouch in an open configuration.

FIG. 2 shows a rear perspective view of the storage pouch in an open configuration.

FIG. 3 shows an exploded view of the planar member of the storage pouch according to one embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 4 shows a perspective view of the planar member of the storage pouch in a folded configuration.

FIG. 5 shows a perspective view of the planar member of the storage pouch in a semi-closed configuration.

FIG. 6 shows a perspective of the planar member of the storage pouch in a closed and fastened configuration.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

Reference is made herein to the attached drawings. Like reference numerals are used throughout the drawings to depict like or similar elements of the storage pouch. The figures are intended for representative purposes only and should not be considered to be limiting in any respect.

Referring now to FIGS. 1 and 2, there is shown a front and rear perspective view of the storage pouch, respectively. The storage pouch 10 comprises a planar member 15 including a pocket 20 for receiving delicate items therein, such as ornaments, and a fastening tether 25 for securing the planar member 15 around an item therein. The planar member 15 is composed of a flexible fabric, such as linen, cotton, or polyester. In the depicted embodiment, the planar member 15 is rectangular and is composed of a quilted fabric for providing cushion to the storage pouch 10. The planar member 15 includes an upper end 30, a lower end 35, and a pair of opposing sides 40 defining a front surface 45 and a rear surface 50. The front surface 45 includes an area configured to receive an item thereon. The upper end 30 and the pair of opposing sides 40 include a hemmed edge 55 for preventing unraveling of the fabric of the planar member 15 and forming a more durable storage pouch 10.

The planar member 15 further defines a first region 46 and a second region 47 configured to fold radially inward onto a central region 48 of the planar member 15, such that the storage pouch 10 may fold around an item inserted into the pocket 20 and subsequently fold into a closed configuration. In the depicted embodiment, the regions 46, 47, 48 are divided into even thirds along the longitudinal length of the planar member 15, such that they include equal areas. The regions 46, 47, and 48 are demarcated by dashed lines 52.

The pocket 20 is disposed along the lower end 35 of the planar member 15. The pocket 20 is stitched to the pair of opposing sides 40 and extends linearly along the lower end 35 and over the front surface 45. The pocket 20 includes a perimeter edge 60 that extends the entire length of the pocket 20 and is positioned parallel relative to the hemmed edge 55 of the upper end 30. The pocket 20 defines an opening 65 positioned between the perimeter edge 60 and the front surface 45 of the planar member 15. The opening 65 provides access to an interior volume sized to receive delicate items, such as ornaments, therein. The pocket 20 includes an area that is less than the area of the front surface 45, such that it extends only partially over the front surface 45 and includes a height less than a height of the planar member 15. When items are inserted into the pocket 20 the items rest on the upper surface 45 and are held thereagainst via the pocket 20. In the depicted embodiment, the pocket 20 is rectangular and includes a height that is less than half the height of the planar member 15, such that the pocket 20 is positioned below a central, widthwise axis of the planar member 15.

The fastening tether 25 is disposed on a center of an upper portion 75 the rear surface 50 of the planar member 15. The fastening tether 25 is pivotally affixed to the upper portion via a rivet 80. In the depicted embodiment, the rivet 80 comprises a circular brass rivet. The fastening tether 25 includes a single, unitary piece of fabric composed of a flexible material, such as silk, cotton, or a synthetic blend, such as polyester, nylon, and polyproylene. The fastening tether 25 includes a first end 85 and a second end 90 and includes a length equal to or greater than the longitudinal length of the planar member 15 and a width less than the width of the planar member 15. In the depicted embodiment, the fastening band 25 comprises a ribbon. The fastening tether 25 extends longitudinally along the longitudinal length of the planar member 15 and is positioned parallel relative to the pair of opposing sides 40. In the depicted embodiment, the first end 85 protrudes radially outwardly from the upper end 30 of the planar member 15, such that the first end 85 extends past the upper end 30, while the second end 90 rests on the rear surface 50 adjacent to the lower end 35, such that it does not extend past the lower end 35 of the planar member 15.

Referring now to FIG. 3, there is shown an exploded view of the planar member of the storage pouch according to one embodiment of the present invention. In an alternative embodiment, the planar member 15 comprises a pair of quilted fabric members stitched together via an overlock stitch, such that the planar member 15 forms a double-quilted pouch for added cushion. A first fabric member 100 having a perimeter edge 105 and a second fabric member 110 have a perimeter edge 115 are aligned and attached at their perimeter edges 105, 115, such that they form the rectangular planar member 15. Each of the fabric members 100, 110 is composed of a flexible fabric, such as linen, cotton, or polyester.

Referring now to FIGS. 4-6, there is shown a view of the storage pouch in a folded configuration, semi-closed configuration, and closed and fastened configuration, respectively, around an ornament. The storage pouch 10 is configured to receive an ornament or delicate item therein and completely enclose the item within a center thereof. In one operation of the present invention, a user inserts an ornament 12 into the pocket 20 such that it rests centrally on the upper surface and central region of the planar member 15, as shown in FIG. 1. Next, the user then folds the first region 46 and second region 47 onto the central region, thereby positioning the planar member 15 into a folded configuration around the ornament.

Next, the user folds the lower end 35 of the planar member 15 radially inwards along a longitudinal length of the central region towards the upper end 30 of the planar member 15, until the planar member 15 is fully folded around the ornament 12 in a closed configuration. Once folded, a user wraps the fastening tether 25 around the folded planar member 15, such that its ends may be tied to secure the planar member 15 around the ornament 12 in a fastened configuration.

It is therefore submitted that the instant invention has been shown and described in various embodiments. It is recognized, however, that departures may be made within the scope of the invention and that obvious modifications will occur to a person skilled in the art. With respect to the above description then, it is to be realized that the optimum dimensional relationships for the parts of the invention, to include variations in size, materials, shape, form, function and manner of operation, assembly and use, are deemed readily apparent and obvious to one skilled in the art, and all equivalent relationships to those illustrated in the drawings and described in the specification are intended to be encompassed by the present invention.

Therefore, the foregoing is considered as illustrative only of the principles of the invention. Further, since numerous modifications and changes will readily occur to those skilled in the art, it is not desired to limit the invention to the exact construction and operation shown and described, and accordingly, all suitable modifications and equivalents may be resorted to, falling within the scope of the invention.

Claims

1) A storage pouch, comprising: a planar member including a flexible material, the planar member including an upper end, a lower end, and a pair of opposing sides, conjunctively defining an upper surface, a rear surface, a first region, a second region, and a central region;the first region, the second region, and the central region extending along the longitudinal length of the planar member;the first region and the second region configured to fold radially inwardly onto the central region into a folded configuration;a pocket disposed on the lower end and extending widthwise relative to a longitudinal axis of the planar member and linearly from one of the sides of the pair of opposing sides to the other side of the pair of opposing sides, the pocket including a perimeter edge defining an opening for providing access to an interior volume sized to receive an item therein;the pocket positioned parallel relative to the upper end and including an area and a height less than an area and a height of the planar member;a fastening tether disposed on an upper portion of the rear surface and positioned parallel relative to the pair of opposing sides of the planar member, the fastening tether composed of a unitary piece of flexible material including a first end and a second end, the first end protruding radially outwardly from the upper end; andthe fastening tether including a longitudinal length greater than a longitudinal length of the planar member and a width less than a width of the planar member.

2) The storage pouch of claim 1, wherein the upper end and the pair of sides include a hemmed edge.

3) The storage pouch of claim 1, wherein the first region, the second region, and the central region are equal in area.

4) The storage pouch of claim 1, wherein the pocket includes a height less than half the height of the planar member.

5) The storage pouch of claim 1, wherein the fastening tether is pivotally connected to the upper portion via a rivet.

6) The storage pouch of claim 1, wherein the fastening tether comprises a ribbon.

7) The storage pouch of claim 1, wherein the planar member comprises a first fabric member including a perimeter edge and a second fabric member including a perimeter edge, the first fabric member and the second fabric member aligned and joined together at their respective perimeter edges.

8) The storage pouch of claim 7, wherein the first fabric member and the second fabric members are composed of a quilted fabric.

9) The storage pouch of claim 1, wherein in the folded configuration the lower end is configured to fold radially inwardly along a longitudinal length of the central region towards the upper end into a closed configuration.

10) The storage pouch of claim 9, wherein in the closed configuration the first end and the second end of the fastening tether are configured to wrap around the planar member and be fastened to one another to secure the planar member in a fastened configuration.