Flexible Luggage With Garment Bag And Integral Core

Abstract

A piece of luggage may include a garment bag, and a flexible core integrated into a first end of the garment bag, the flexible core comprising one or more interior spaces to hold items. The garment bag may be configured to be wrapped around the flexible core.

Description

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTIVE CONCEPT

1. Field of the Invention

[0001] The present general inventive concept relates to a piece of luggage adapted to transport garments in a secure and flexible manner.

2. Description of the Related Art

[0002] Heretofore all luggage of the variety commonly called "garment bags" have been of one basic design. In these traditional garment bags, clothing on a hanger is attached at one end of a long rectangular bag. The bag may be folded to reduce its size so it may be more easily carried. Shoes and other bulky objects are loaded into one end of the bag so that when the bag is folded and carried all the bulky objects are at the bottom of the bag, causing the bag to be substantially wider at the bottom than at the top. This also results in uneven weight distribution by putting much of the weight at the bottom of the garment bag.

[0003] The traditional design of garment bags suffers from two serious flaws. First they require the clothing within to be folded which results in wrinkles and creases in the garments. Second the shape of these garment bags is such that they are very bulky and awkward to carry. Furthermore because of the awkward shape of the garment bag it is difficult to fit it into storage bins on airplanes. It is especially true that this awkward shape makes it more difficult to lift the bag over one's head which is required to fit it into the overhead compartment on an airplane.

[0004] Traditional garment bags are popular among business travelers since, up to now, they have been the only type of luggage available to carry suits and similar formal business garments. It is common to see a majority of passengers on a commercial airline flight carrying these types of garment bags. It is also common to see business travelers carry their luggage aboard the plane and stow it in either an overhead compartment or under the seat in front of them, the two spaces provided by the airlines for luggage carried aboard flights. This helps to save time by eliminating the need to wait for checked bags after the plane has landed. It is advantageous to the passengers if their luggage fits easily into one of these two designated places. It is becoming more common for airlines to require that oversized and bulky pieces of luggage be checked into the cargo hold to avoid flight delays brought on by passengers struggling to make a piece of luggage fit into too small a space. Traditional garment bags are often too bulky to fit into either of these two designated storage sites, and so are often required to be checked, relegating it to bruising transport within an airplane's luggage hold. A further disadvantage of this design is that the bag must be folded in half to reduce it to a manageable size. This results in the clothing becoming wrinkled and not wearable in a business setting without subsequent ironing or pressing.

[0005] A newer variation of the traditional garment bag design tries to reduce the overall size of the luggage by folding twice so that the bag is divided into three sections. While this may reduce the external size of the bag, it requires the garments to be folded in two places instead of only one, thereby increasing the problem of wrinkling.

[0006] Other garment bags use solid compartments to hold some or all of the clothing items being transported. For example, some luggage includes solid shells to transport shoes and other items. However, this type of luggage presents its own difficulties in traveling. Since it is not flexible, it becomes difficult to push luggage with solid shells into tight spaces, for example an overhead compartment that is full of other luggage. Fitting items that are awkward shapes, for example high heeled shoes, can be difficult if the solid shell is not the right shape to hold these items. Furthermore, luggage with solid shells cannot compress down to a smaller volume if it is under-packed, which can leave a traveler carrying bulky luggage even if they have not packed much. For similar reasons, it is difficult to store this type of luggage, since even when completely empty it still takes up the same amount of space.

[0007] It is an object of the present invention to provide a novel garment carrying system which will minimize wrinkles, allow for easy and quick packing and unpacking, be useable with various types of luggage, fit in a more compact space than traditional garment bags, and be easier to use and store than luggage with rigid compartments.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTIVE CONCEPT

[0008] The present general inventive concept provides a flexible garment bag which can hold clothing without wrinkling while maintaining a convenient shape that is easy to transport.

[0009] Additional features and utilities of the present general inventive concept will be set forth in part in the description which follows and, in part, will be obvious from the description, or may be learned by practice of the general inventive concept.

[0010] The foregoing and/or other features and utilities of the present general inventive concept may be achieved by providing a piece of luggage including a garment bag, and a flexible core integrated into a first end of the garment bag, the flexible core comprising one or more interior spaces to hold items. The garment bag may be configured to be wrapped around the flexible core.

[0011] In an exemplary embodiment, the flexible core may include a plurality of interior spaces separated with a divider.

[0012] In an exemplary embodiment, the divider may be retractable to combine two or more of the plurality of interior spaces.

[0013] In an exemplary embodiment, the flexible core may have a rounded shape corresponding to the shape of the garment bag when the garment bag is wrapped around the flexible core.

[0014] In an exemplary embodiment, the garment bag may include two separable halves sharing at least one common edge, the two halves being separated and combined by a fastener.

[0015] In an exemplary embodiment, a first half of the garment bag may include one or more pockets disposed on an outer surface thereof.

[0016] In an exemplary embodiment, one half of the garment bag may include a loop to support one or more hangers inside of the garment bag.

[0017] In an exemplary embodiment, one half of the garment bag may include an aperture to admit one or more hooks corresponding to one or more hangers therethrough.

[0018] In an exemplary embodiment, the flexible core may include one or more panels corresponding to the one or more interior spaces, each panel being openable to access the corresponding interior space.

[0019] In an exemplary embodiment, the one or more panels are formed in an outer surface of the flexible core, such that each panel has a shape matching a shape of the flexible core.

[0020] In an exemplary embodiment, the one or more panels are openable to access the corresponding interior spaces while the garment bag is wrapped around the flexible core.

[0021] In an exemplary embodiment, the luggage may further include a fastener system to hold the garment bag wrapped around the flexible core.

[0022] In an exemplary embodiment, the fastener system may be configured to tighten the garment bag around the flexible core.

[0023] In an exemplary embodiment, the garment bag may include a waterproof lining.

[0024] The foregoing and/or other features and utilities of the present general inventive concept may be achieved by providing a method of packing a piece of luggage with a flexible core integrated into one end of a garment bag, the method including packing the flexible core, packing the garment bag, and rolling the flexible core such that the garment bag is wrapped around the flexible core.

[0025] In an exemplary embodiment, the method may further include packing an external pocket on the garment bag prior to rolling the flexible core.

[0026] In an exemplary embodiment, the method may further include packing an external pocket on the garment bag after rolling the flexible core.

[0027] In an exemplary embodiment, the method may further include fastening the garment bag in place in the rolled configuration, and tightening the garment bag around the flexible core.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0028] These and/or other features and utilities of the present general inventive concept will become apparent and more readily appreciated from the following description of the embodiments, taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings of which:

[0029] FIG. 1 is a view of a piece of luggage according to an exemplary embodiment of the present general inventive concept;

[0030] FIGS. 2A-2F are views of a flexible core of a piece of luggage according to exemplary embodiments of the present general inventive concept;

[0031] FIG. 3 is a view of a piece of luggage with a garment bag opened according to exemplary embodiments of the present general inventive concept;

[0032] FIGS. 4-6 are views of a piece of luggage being rolled up around a flexible core according to exemplary embodiments of the present general inventive concept; and

[0033] FIGS. 7-8 are views of a piece of luggage rolled up and fastened shut according to exemplary embodiments of the present general inventive concept;

[0034] FIG. 9 is an enlarged view of one end of a piece of luggage rolled up according to an exemplary embodiment of the present general inventive concept;

[0035] FIG. 10 is a flowchart of a process of packing and rolling up a piece of luggage according to an exemplary embodiment of the present general inventive concept; and

[0036] FIGS. 11 and 12 are rear views of pieces of luggage according to exemplary embodiments of the present general inventive concept.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

[0037] Reference will now be made in detail to the embodiments of the present general inventive concept, examples of which are illustrated in the accompanying drawings, wherein like reference numerals refer to the like elements throughout. The embodiments are described below in order to explain the present general inventive concept while referring to the figures. Also, while describing the present general inventive concept, detailed descriptions about related well-known functions or configurations that may diminish the clarity of the points of the present general inventive concept are omitted.

[0038] It will be understood that although the terms "first" and "second" are used herein to describe various elements, these elements should not be limited by these terms. These terms are only used to distinguish one element from another element. Thus, a first element could be termed a second element, and similarly, a second element may be termed a first element without departing from the teachings of this disclosure.

[0039] Expressions such as "at least one of," when preceding a list of elements, modify the entire list of elements and do not modify the individual elements of the list.

[0040] All terms including descriptive or technical terms which are used herein should be construed as having meanings that are obvious to one of ordinary skill in the art. However, the terms may have different meanings according to an intention of one of ordinary skill in the art, case precedents, or the appearance of new technologies. Also, some terms may be arbitrarily selected by the applicant, and in this case, the meaning of the selected terms will be described in detail in the detailed description of the preferred embodiments. Thus, the terms used herein are defined based on the intended meaning of the terms together with the description throughout the specification.

[0041] Also, when a part "includes" or "comprises" an element, unless there is a particular description contrary thereto, the part can further include other elements, not excluding the other elements.

[0042] Hereinafter, one or more exemplary embodiments of the present general inventive concept will be described in detail with reference to accompanying drawings.

[0043] Referring to the drawings in detail, FIG. 1 illustrates a piece of luggage 100 according to an exemplary embodiment of the present general inventive concept. The luggage 100 includes a flexible core 10 integrated into a garment bag 20. FIG. 8, discussed in greater detail infra, illustrates an exemplary embodiment of the luggage 100 packed and ready for travel. As illustrated therein, the luggage 100 is rolled up, such that the garment bag 20 is wrapped around the core 10.

[0044] FIGS. 2A-F illustrate exemplary embodiments of flexible core 10. The core 10 has an inside volume preferably between about 200 and about 400 cubic inches, and preferably has a width equal to or slightly less than that of the garment bag 20. Since the core 10 is flexible, it may compact down to a flat shape when not in use, as illustrated in FIG. 2A. As such, the core 10 may be integrated into one end of the garment bag 20, such that core 10 and the garment bag 20 constitute one unit, without adding additional bulk.

[0045] In an exemplary embodiment of the present general inventive concept, the core 10 may have a shape with rounded edges corresponding to the shape of the garment bag 20 when the garment bag 20 is rolled around core 10. A rounded shape of core 10 aids in rolling up the luggage 100, in a manner to be described in greater detail infra. This shape is illustrated for example in FIGS. 2C-2D. However, the flexible core 10 may be formed in any desired three-dimensional shape, depending on the particular exemplary embodiment of the present general inventive concept. For example, the flexible core 10 may be a triangular prism in shape.

[0046] The flexible core 10 may include one or more interior spaces 11, accessible by panels 12 built into the outside surface of the flexible core 10, such that the panels 12 match the shape of the flexible core 10. These panels 12 may be, e.g., panels held shut with zippers, buttons, snaps, Velcro.TM., or other fasteners that are easily opened and closed. If there are a plurality of interior spaces 11, each space 11 may be accessible from a separate panel 12. Furthermore, one or more of the panels 12 may include a symbol or instruction 15 printed thereon, to inform a user that the core 10 allows for storage of one or more items K, e.g., shoes or a shaving/makeup kit. In the exemplary embodiments of the present general inventive concept discussed herein with reference to FIGS. 1-12, a single item K is described and illustrated for clarity. However, it will be understood that whenever an item K is illustrated or discussed herein, a plurality of items K may be used in the same manner.

[0047] In the exemplary embodiment of the present general inventive concept illustrated in FIGS. 2A-2F, the core 10 includes two interior spaces 11a and 11b disposed opposite each other and accessed through corresponding curved panels 12aand 12b. It will be understood that any number of interior spaces 11 and corresponding panels 12 may be used, depending on the specific embodiment of the present general inventive concept.

[0048] As illustrated in FIG. 2C, a plurality of interior spaces 11 may be separated by a divider 13. This divider 13 may also be flexible, allowing it to bend to accommodate items K with awkward shapes (e.g., high heeled shoes) held in the interior spaces 11. In an exemplary embodiment of the present general inventive concept illustrated in FIG. 2F, the divider 13 may also be removable or retractable, to allow two or more interior spaces 11 to be combined. For example, the divider 13 may be held in place with fasteners along one or more edges, which may be unfastened to allow the divider 13 to be rolled up or otherwise stored to combine interior spaces 11, as illustrated in FIG. 2F.

[0049] As illustrated in FIG. 1, the core 10 may be integrated into one end of a piece of luggage 100, the luggage 100 including a garment bag 20 to hold one or more garments G, e.g., suits, dress shirts, neckties, dresses, blouses and the like. In the exemplary embodiments of the present general inventive concept discussed herein with reference to FIGS. 1-12, a single garment G is described and illustrated for clarity. However, it will be understood that whenever a garment G is illustrated or discussed herein, a plurality of garments G may be used in the same manner.

[0050] As illustrated in FIG. 1, the garment bag 20 may be constructed with elongated side edges bounded at their ends by relatively shorter first and second garment bag end edges, 22 and 23, respectively. The garment bag 20 may be generally rectangular in shape, with square corners and straight edges. Alternatively, one of the shorter edges 22 and 23 (edge 22 in the exemplary embodiment illustrated in FIG. 1) may have a curved shape, to accommodate the shape of garments G held therein. The garment bag 20 preferably has a length and width suitable to accommodate many different types of garments G, and preferably has a thickness suitable to accommodate a plurality of garments G.

[0051] The core 10 may be located at an end of luggage 100 near one of the garment bag edges 22 and 23. In FIG. 1, the core 10 is illustrated as being positioned at the first edge 22. The garment bag edge opposite the core 10 (second edge 23 in the exemplary embodiment illustrated in FIG. 1) may include a first fastener system 26, to be described in greater detail infra.

[0052] As illustrated for example in FIG. 3, garment bag 20 may comprise two halves 31 and 41. The two halves 31 and 41 may be of similar size and shape, and may be releasably joined by a fastener 24. By joining the two halves 31 and 41 together with fastener 24, the halves 31 and 41 form a secure enclosure to hold garment(s) G therein.

[0053] The garment bag 20 may be opened by undoing the fastener 24 (e.g., unzipping a zipper) and separating the two halves 31 and 41 from each other. In an exemplary embodiment of the present general inventive concept illustrated in FIGS. 3-4, the fastener 24 may extend along a plurality of edges 24a, 24b, and 24c of the garment bag 20, while the two halves 31 and 41 share at least one common edge 25. In this configuration, the two halves 31 and 41 may be separated from each other and the garment bag may be opened.

[0054] The garment bag 20 may be opened to allow a user to pack one or more garments G, for example one or more suits, into the garment bag 20. See FIG. 3. After the garment(s) G are packed, the garment bag 20 is closed by folding the two halves 31 and 41 together and joining them together with fastener 24. See for example FIGS. 1 and 3, illustrating the garment bag 20 in a closed and open position, respectively. Bag half 31 may be referred to herein as an "exterior" bag half, since it forms the outer surface of the luggage 100 when the luggage 100 is rolled up, as will be described in greater detail infra. Similarly, bag half 41 may be referred to herein as an "interior" bag half. As illustrated for example in FIGS. 1 and 3, the core 10 may be integrated into one end of the interior bag half 41.

[0055] FIG. 3 illustrates garment bag 20 fully opened by separating halves 31 and 41. As illustrated therein, halves 31 and 41 may have internal surface panels 32 and 42, respectively. One or both of these internal surface panels 32 and 42 may have smooth, waterproof inner faces or linings 33 and 43, respectively (surfaces 33 and 43 partially illustrated in FIG. 3) to protectively enclose garment G, for example suits or dresses. When garment bag 20 is closed and the luggage 100 is subsequently rolled up, bag half 31 forms a relatively smooth continuous external surface 35 of the luggage 100. (See for example FIG. 8). Thus, the outwardly facing surface 35 of bag half 31 may be fabricated of a ruggedly durable material such as, for example, ballistic nylon. In the exemplary embodiment of the present general inventive concept illustrated in FIG. 3, the first fastener system 26 may be included on the exterior half 31, where it is supported by the rugged material of the outwardly facing surface 35. The exterior surface 35 may also form a mounting point for, e.g., a handle 38 and/or attachment points 50 for a strap 51, allowing the luggage 100 to be easily carried. The handle 38 and attachment points 50 are described in greater detail infra with reference to FIG. 8.

[0056] The outwardly facing surface 35 may further include a second fastener system 36 disposed between the first and second ends 22 and 23 and configured to engage with the first fastener system 26 at one edge of the garment bag 20, as will be described in greater detail infra. The outwardly facing surface 35 may also include one or more pockets 39, such that when the luggage 100 is rolled up, a user may store items (e.g., magazines, boarding passes, etc.) in the pocket(s) 39.

[0057] Interior bag half 41 may be fabricated of a material which is less rugged and more flexible as compared to the external surface 35 described above, since bag half 41 will remain safely in the inner surface of the luggage 100. Surface panel 42 may be generally smooth so as not to frictionally engage, restrict, or snag garment G enclosed thereby.

[0058] The surface panel 42 (of bag half 41) may be fabricated of a lightweight, generally smooth woven material, and may include at least one pocket 44 (illustrated for example in FIG. 1) to store items such as underwear, neckties, socks and the like. If multiple pockets 44 are included in surface 42, different pockets 44 may be different sizes, for example to accommodate different size items, e.g. one pocket 44 being sized to hold socks and another pocket 44 being sized to hold tee-shirts. While pocket(s) 44 may be structured or fabricated in a variety of ways and with a range of materials, the use of a mesh fabric provides the advantage of easily viewing contents of pocket(s) 44. Furthermore, the pocket(s) 44 may include closing devices 45, for example zippers, to hold them shut and avoid items falling out unintentionally. In an exemplary embodiment the closing device 45 may be an elastic band, which holds the pocket(s) 44 shut and tightly hold items contained therein while also allowing a user to insert and remove items therefrom without needing to open a zipper. Still further, if there are multiple pockets 44 in the surface 42, these pockets 44 may use different types of closing devices 45. For example, a large pocket 44 made to hold, e.g., shirts, may use a zipper closing device 45, while a smaller pocket 44 made to hold, e.g., socks or scarves, may use an elastic closing device 45.

[0059] After opening the garment bag 20 as described above, garment G is placed into the garment bag 20. In an exemplary embodiment of the present general inventive concept illustrated in FIG. 3, garment G may be placed in the inside face 32 of the exterior half 31 of the garment bag 20.

[0060] Once the garment G is placed in the garment bag 20, the garment bag 20 may be closed up by closing the opposing halves 31 and 41. In an exemplary embodiment of the present general inventive concept illustrated in FIG. 3, garment G is placed in the inside face 32 of the exterior half 31 of the garment bag 20, and then the interior half 41 is folded over said garment G. Once the two halves 31 and 41 are closed up, they are joined together with fastener 24. In an exemplary embodiment, fastener 24 is a zipper which is drawn across edges 24a, 24b, and 24c to join the halves 31 and 41 together. Once the two halves 31 and 41 are joined together, the garment bag 20 is in the "closed" position.

[0061] Once the garment bag 20 and core 10 are each respectively packed with items and closed up, the user then rolls or turns the core 10 relative to the longer dimension of garment bag 20, so that the garment bag 20 is wrapped around the core 10. The direction of wrapping will depend on the specific design or configuration of the luggage 100, but the objective is to have the more rugged surface 35 on the outside of the luggage 100 once the rolling is completed. The rolling is illustrated for example in FIGS. 4-8. FIGS. 4 and 5 illustrate the beginning of rolling with 3/4 and side views, respectively. FIG. 6 illustrates midway through the rolling process. FIGS. 7-8 illustrate the fully rolled luggage 100.

[0062] When the rolling of luggage 100 is completed, so that garment bag 20 is wrapped around core 10, surface panel 32 may be in direct contact with the exterior surfaces of core 10. Rugged surface 35 of garment bag 20 then faces outwardly (with respect to the core-garment bag combination) and provides a durable and protective surface for the clothes contained inside the luggage 100.

[0063] As garment bag 20 continues to wrap around core 10, second edge 23 of the garment bag 20 overlaps the first edge 22 thereof. Second edge 23 then continues around core 10 to a point where the first fastener system 26, located for example at edge 23 (illustrated in FIGS. 1, 3, and 4 as clip components 26a, 26b, and 26c), engages with the second fastener system 36 (illustrated in FIGS. 7 and 11 as clip components 36a, 36b, and 36c). For this reason, second edge 23, on which first fastener system 26 is disposed, is preferably a straight line in shape as opposed to curved, to allow easy engagement with second fastener system 36 and distribution of force evenly across the fastener systems 26 and 36.

[0064] Once first and second fastener systems 26 and 36 (e.g., clips 26a-c and clips 36a-c) are interconnected, the luggage 100 may be tightened down. In an exemplary embodiment of the present general inventive concept illustrated in FIG. 7, webbing straps 37a, 37b, and 37c associated with clip components 36a, 36b, and 36c, respectively, are tightened so as to pull garment bag 20 tightly against core 10 and ensure a smooth outer of the entire luggage 100. By tightening webbing straps 37a-c, the luggage 100 may be tightened around the garment G and other items stored in the garment bag 20 and core 10, as well as pockets 39 and 44. This tightening helps to hold the garment G and items in place when the luggage 100 is carried, which keeps the garment G and items from shifting or bunching up inside of the luggage 100, thereby keeping the garment G from wrinkling. Still further, tightening the webbing straps 37a-c minimizes the overall size of the luggage 100, which makes the luggage 100 less bulky and therefore easier to transport. As part of this minimizing, the core 10 may be compressed to its minimum size by the tightening of the webbing straps 37a-c. For example, if a user has no items K packed into interior space(s) 11, the core 10 may collapse as the user tightens the webbing straps 37a-c, thereby allowing the user to minimize the size of the luggage 100.

[0065] Although first and second fastener systems 26 and 36 are illustrated in the drawings as clips, the present general inventive concept is not limited to clips. The fastener systems 26 and 36 may include, e.g., buttons, zippers, and any other device which would allow the luggage 100 to be fastened in a rolled position. Preferably, the fastener systems 26 and 36 also allow the luggage 100 to be tightened, as noted above.

[0066] FIG. 8 illustrates the luggage 100 rolled up and tightened as described above. In an exemplary embodiment of the present general inventive concept, the packed and rolled up luggage 100 has an overall size within the acceptable dimensions of carry-on luggage for major airlines. As illustrated therein, the outer surface 35 of garment bag 20 forms the outer surface of the luggage 100. The outer surface 35 may include a carrying handle 38, and one or more pockets 39. The outer surface 35 may also include one or more hooks or attachment points 50 to support a strap 51, which allows the luggage 100 to be carried over a user's shoulder. The strap 51 is preferably removable, allowing it to be detached from the attachment points 50 when not in use, to avoid the strap 51 from becoming tangled or caught on external objects when not in use. The attachment points 50 may be, e.g., metal or plastic D-rings to allow the strap 51 to attach and detach therefrom, for example with clips at either end of the strap 51.

[0067] While traveling, the user may find it desirable or necessary to access items in the luggage 100 without having to unroll the garment bag 20. According to exemplary embodiments of the present general inventive concept, this desire is easily accommodated. FIGS. 8-9 illustrate the luggage 100 structure rolled up. As illustrated therein, panel 12 of core 10 may be accessed while the luggage 100 is rolled up, for example from the side. This allows a user to access one of the interior spaces 11 via panel 12, without unfastening the fastener systems 26 and 36 or unrolling the luggage 100. In an exemplary embodiment of the present general inventive concept, the fastener systems 26 and 36 may be loosened (for example, by loosening webbing straps 37a-c) to allow easier access to the interior space(s) 11 without unrolling the luggage 100. As illustrated in FIG. 9, if multiple panels 12 are accessible in this fashion (e.g., if two panels 12 are accessible from one end or opposing ends of the core 10), multiple interior spaces 11 may be accessed. Since the core 10 is flexible, it can be moved to allow a user to more easily access the contents of interior spaces 11. In exemplary embodiments including multiple interior spaces 11 separated by a divider 13, if the divider 13 is retractable or removable, multiple interior spaces 11 may be accessed from one panel 12 by retracting or removing the divider 13.

[0068] Furthermore, as noted above the external surface 38 of the garment bag 20 may include one or more pockets 39 thereon. These one or more pockets 39 allow users to pack additional items once the luggage 100 is rolled up. Users can easily access items stored in pocket(s) 39 without unrolling luggage 100.

[0069] A method of packing the luggage 100 is illustrated in FIG. 10. In operation, the luggage 100 may be placed on a substantially horizontal surface such as, for example, a bed, table or floor. The core 10 and garment bag 20, as well as pocket(s) 44, are suitably packed with clothing and other articles at operations S1001-S1008. As described above with reference to FIGS. 1 and 3, the garment bag 20 is opened at operation S1001 by separating the two bag halves 31 and 41. A user may then pack one or more garments G (e.g., suits, dresses, etc.) into the garment bag 20 at operation S1002. The two bag halves 31 and 41 are joined together at operation S1003, in the manner described above, so that garment G in the garment bag 20 are fully enclosed. Items may be packed into the pocket(s) 44 at operation S1004.

[0070] The core 10 may be packed with items K (e.g., shoes) in operations S1005-S1008. Since the core 10 is flexible, it may be moved to allow better access to the interior space(s) 11. An exemplary embodiment of the present general inventive concept illustrated in FIGS. 2A-2F illustrates the packing of interior spaces 11a-11b of the core 10. With reference thereto, in operation S1005 of FIG. 10, a first interior space 11a may be accessed while the core 10 lays flat by opening a corresponding panel 12a. The interior space 11a may be packed with one or more items K (e.g., shoes, socks, etc.) in operation S1006, and then the panel 12a may be closed in operation S1007. If there are additional interior spaces 11 to be packed (operation S1008), operations S1005-S1007 may be repeated. In an exemplary embodiment, since the core 10 is flexible, it may be moved to allow access to a second interior space 11b through a corresponding panel 12b, as illustrated in FIG. 2E. Once this second interior space 11b is packed with one or more items K, the corresponding panel 12b may be closed. This process of moving the core 10 to allow access to interior spaces 11 through corresponding panels 12 may be repeated as necessary (operation S1008), until all the interior spaces 11 are packed with items K.

[0071] With reference to FIG. 10, as illustrated therein the pocket(s) 44 may be packed after the garment bag 20 is packed, and core 10 may be packed after the garment bag 20 and the pocket(s) 44 are packed. However, the garment bag 20, pocket(s) 44, and core 10 may be packed in any order. In other words, operations S1001-S1003, S1004, and S1005-S1008 may be taken in any order desired. For example, the core 10 may be packed according to operations S1005-S1008 first, then pocket(s) 44 may be packed according to operation S1004, and then the garment bag 20 is packed according to operations S1001-S1003. In this latter circumstance, users may have to lift the weight of the core 10 and all items K held therein, as well as the contents of pocket(s) 44, as part of separating and joining the bag halves 24 and 25. In either case, the garment bag 20, pocket(s) 44, and core 10 should be packed and closed up prior to rolling up the luggage 100.

[0072] Once the core 10 and the garment bag 20 are closed up, the luggage 100 is rolled up in operation S1009. The specifics of rolling this up are detailed above with reference to FIGS. 4-8. Once the luggage 100 is rolled up, the first and second fastener systems 26 and 36 are connected in operation S1010. The fastener systems 26 and 36 may be tightened in operation S1011 as needed, for example by tightening webbing straps 37a-c, to tighten the luggage 100 closed. As noted above, tightening the fastener systems 26 and 36 can exert a force on the garment G held in the luggage 100 and hold it firmly in place, keeping them from shifting or bunching up.

[0073] Once the luggage 100 is rolled up, at operation S1012 a strap 51 may optionally be connected to it. As illustrated in FIG. 8, the strap 51 may be connected at attachment points 50, positioned on the outer surface 35 of the luggage 100. This exemplary embodiment of the present general inventive concept is illustrated in FIG. 8. Attaching a strap 51 in this manner allows a user to carry the luggage 100, for example over their shoulder, in addition to carrying the luggage 100 by a handle 38 (also illustrated in FIG. 8).

[0074] The above describes exemplary embodiments of packing and rolling of the luggage 100, which prepares the luggage 100 for travel, storage on an airplane, etc. Once a user arrives at their destination (e.g., a hotel room), they may wish to store the luggage 100. More specifically, the user may wish to store the luggage 100 without completely unpacking it, in order to keep their belongings close at hand and minimize the risk of leaving items behind in, e.g., a hotel room. In order to unpack the luggage 100, the first fastener system 26 is disengaged from second fastener system 36, and the luggage 100 is unrolled, preferably on a horizontal surface so that the luggage 100 can lay flat when completely unrolled, to avoid wrinkling the garments G held therein. Once the luggage 100 is unrolled, the garments G can be removed by opening the garment bag 20.

[0075] Users may find it desirable to be able to store the unrolled luggage 100 so that it is out of the way while keeping items stored therein easily accessible. Exemplary embodiments of the present general inventive concept illustrated in FIGS. 11 and 12 make it possible to store the luggage 100, for example by hanging it in a closet.

[0076] FIG. 11 illustrates a back view of the luggage 100 unrolled according to an exemplary embodiment of the present general inventive concept. As illustrated therein, the luggage 100 may be unrolled and positioned such that the first garment bag edge 22 is above the second garment bag edge 23 with respect to gravity. The outer surface 35 (corresponding to the back surface of the luggage 100) may include the handle 38, attachment points 52, and second fastener system 36. The back surface 35 may also include one or more hanging points 52. Hanging point(s) 52 may include, for example, straps, clips, hooks, and the like, to allow the unrolled luggage 100 to be hung from a closet rack.

[0077] By hanging the luggage 100 from hanging point(s) 52, the luggage 100 can hang in, e.g., a closet, taking it off of the floor and allowing for better organization of the user's clothes. The user may, for example, remove garment G from the garment bag 20, hang it separately in a closet, and then hang the luggage 100 in the closet by hanging point(s) 52, thereby allowing easy access to item(s) K held in the core 10, as well as the contents of pockets 39 and 44.

[0078] In exemplary embodiments of the present general inventive concept, one or more hangers 55 may be used with the luggage 100 to support garment G held in the garment bag 20. The hangers 55 are preferably strong enough to support garment G and hang from a closet rack that supports standard hangers. These hangers 55 are also preferably made of a flexible material, such that they can match the shape of the garment bag 20 when the luggage 100 is rolled up. Alternatively, the hangers 55 may be collapsible, such that they can be stored separately (e.g., in one of pockets 39 and 44) and assembled when the luggage 100 is unrolled. Exemplary embodiments of the present general inventive concept allowing for the use of hangers 55 are described below with reference to FIGS. 3 and 12.

[0079] In the exemplary embodiment of the present general inventive concept illustrated in FIG. 12, the garment bag 20 may include a hole or other aperture 46 to permit a hook 55a of a hanger 55 to extend therethrough. In FIG. 12, a hanger 55 is illustrated in dashed lines to indicate that the hanger 55 is held substantially inside of the garment bag 20. As illustrated in FIG. 12, the aperture is preferably in the outer surface 35 near one edge of the garment bag 20 (first edge 22 as illustrated in FIG. 12). By making aperture 46 in outer surface 35, the relatively stronger material of the outer surface 35 may support the weight of the luggage 100 and items held therein by the hanger 55. If the aperture 46 is located at the first end 22 of the garment bag 20, the aperture 46 will be covered by the rest of the garment bag 20 when the luggage 100 is rolled up, thereby keeping any items from falling out of the aperture 46 while the luggage 100 is in transit, e.g., stored in an overhead compartment.

[0080] In the exemplary embodiment of the present general inventive concept illustrated in FIG. 12, garment G may be hung on one or more hangers 55 inside of garment bag 20, and the hooks 55a of these hangers 55 may be pushed through the aperture 46 prior to closing the garment bag 20. Alternatively, the hangers 55 may be separately put on the garment G after the luggage 100 is unrolled, for example if the hangers 55 are stored separately from the garment G, and then the hooks 55a of these hangers 55 may be pushed through the aperture 46. In either case, once unrolled the luggage 100 may be hung from the hanger(s) 55 extending through the aperture 46, such that the hanger(s) 55 support both the garment G and the luggage 100 from an object, for example a closet rack. This exemplary embodiment allows the user to store their luggage and clothes in one place. According to this exemplary embodiment of the present general inventive concept, the hanger(s) 55 are preferably strong enough to support both the garment G and the rest of the luggage 100 from a closet rack that supports standard hangers.

[0081] In another exemplary embodiment of the present general inventive concept illustrated in FIG. 3, the garment bag 20 may include a hanger loop 47 on an inner face of one of the halves 31 and 41. The hanger loop 47 may be, for example, a strap, ring, molded plastic, etc., and is preferably flexible so that it can match the shape of the luggage 100 when the garment bag 20 is rolled around the core 10. In the exemplary embodiment illustrated in FIG. 3, the hanger loop 47 is mounted on the inner surface 32 of outer half 31. One or more hangers 55 (illustrated in FIG. 3 in dashed lines) may be hung from this hanger loop 47, to support garment G inside of the garment bag 20. In this exemplary embodiment, the luggage 100 may be hung from hanging point(s) 55 inside of a closet, as noted above, with the added advantage that a user does not need to remove garment G from the garment bag 20. According to this exemplary embodiment of the present general inventive concept, the hanger(s) 55 need to only be strong enough to support the garment G. Since the hanger(s) 55 do not need to be strong enough to support the luggage 100 in addition to the garment G, they may be made of a more flexible material, allowing them to more easily conform to the shape of the luggage 100 when it is rolled up. As such, in this exemplary embodiment of the present general inventive concept, a user may put garment G into the garment bag 20 already on hanger 55, hang the hanger 55 from hanger loop 47, and roll up the luggage 100 as described above with reference to FIG. 10.

[0082] In exemplary embodiments of the present general inventive concept in which garment G may be packed into garment bag 20 with a hanger 55, the luggage 100 may be packed vertically. That is, the luggage 100 may be hung on an object (e.g., a closet rack), either by hanging points 52 or a hanger 55 through an aperture 46, and garment G may be packed into garment bag 20 and pocket(s) 44 may be packed prior to rolling up the luggage 100. The process of packing the luggage 100 is substantially the same as described above with reference to FIG. 10, and so is not duplicated here. Users may find it advantageous to pack the luggage 100 vertically if, for example, they do not have a convenient horizontal surface to lay the luggage 100 out on.

[0083] Although a few embodiments of the present general inventive concept have been shown and described, it will be appreciated by those skilled in the art that changes may be made in these embodiments without departing from the principles and spirit of the general inventive concept, the scope of which is defined in the appended claims and their equivalents.

Claims

1. A piece of luggage, comprising: a garment bag; and a flexible core integrated into a first end of the garment bag, the flexible core comprising one or more interior spaces to hold items; wherein the garment bag is configured to be wrapped around the flexible core.

2. The luggage of claim 1, wherein the flexible core includes a plurality of interior spaces separated with a divider.

3. The luggage of claim 2, wherein the divider is retractable to combine two or more of the plurality of interior spaces.

4. The luggage of claim 1, wherein the flexible core has a rounded shape corresponding to the shape of the garment bag when the garment bag is wrapped around the flexible core.

5. The luggage of claim 1, wherein the garment bag includes two separable halves sharing at least one common edge, the two halves being separated and combined by a fastener.

7. The luggage of claim 5, wherein a first half of the garment bag comprises one or more pockets disposed on an outer surface thereof.

8. The luggage of claim 5, wherein one half of the garment bag includes a loop to support one or more hangers inside of the garment bag.

9. The luggage of claim 5, wherein one half of the garment bag includes an aperture to admit one or more hooks corresponding to one or more hangers therethrough.

10. The luggage of claim 1, wherein the flexible core includes one or more panels corresponding to the one or more interior spaces, each panel being openable to access the corresponding interior space.

11. The luggage of claim 10, wherein the one or more panels are formed in an outer surface of the flexible core, such that each panel has a shape matching a shape of the flexible core.

12. The luggage of claim 10, wherein the one or more panels are openable to access the corresponding interior spaces while the garment bag is wrapped around the flexible core.

13. The luggage of claim 1, further comprising a fastener system to hold the garment bag wrapped around the flexible core.

14. The luggage of claim 13, wherein the fastener system is configured to tighten the garment bag around the flexible core.

15. The luggage of claim 1, wherein the garment bag comprises a waterproof lining.

16. A method of packing a piece of luggage with a flexible core integrated into one end of a garment bag, the method comprising: packing the flexible core; packing the garment bag; and rolling the flexible core such that the garment bag is wrapped around the flexible core.

17. The method of claim 16, further comprising: packing an external pocket on the garment bag prior to rolling the flexible core.

18. The method of claim 17, further comprising: packing an external pocket on the garment bag after rolling the flexible core.

19. The method of claim 16, further comprising: fastening the garment bag in place in the rolled configuration; and tightening the garment bag around the flexible core.