AUTHENTIC DIRT SHIRTS AND BAGS SYSTEMS

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION

The present application is related to and claims priority from prior provisional application Ser. No. 61/409,958, filed Nov. 3, 2010, which application is incorporated herein by reference.

COPYRIGHT NOTICE

A portion of the disclosure of this patent document contains material which is subject to copyright protection. The copyright owner has no objection to the facsimile reproduction by anyone of the patent document or the patent disclosure, as it appears in the Patent and Trademark Office patent file or records, but otherwise reserves all copyright rights whatsoever. 37 CFR 1.71(d).

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

The following includes information that may be useful in understanding the present invention(s). It is not an admission that any of the information provided herein is prior art, or material, to the presently described or claimed inventions, or that any publication or document that is specifically or implicitly referenced is prior art.

1. Field of the Invention

The present invention relates generally to the field of sports and athletic apparel and more specifically relates to a novel line of sports and athletic apparel which may appear to be authentically worn and dirty.

2. Description of the Related Art

Many sports fans enjoy purchasing and donning sports apparel in support of their favorite player or preferred team. For example, baseball fans may purchase a brand new baseball jersey depicting one of their favorite players which they may wear to live games. Wearing baseball jerseys, shorts, and other apparel is a way for sports fans to feel more connected to their “home team” and to support the sport they enjoy watching.

Typically, a uniform or jersey as used in sports is a shirt worn by a member of a sports organization and conventionally depicts the athlete's last name and team number in addition to a team logo or insignia. These uniforms frequently become soiled during a game when athletes dive, slide, and otherwise make contact with the playing surface.

A baseball uniform is a type of uniform worn by baseball players. Most baseball uniforms have the names and uniform numbers of players who wear them, usually on the backs of the uniforms to distinguish players from one other. Baseball shirts (jerseys), shoes, socks, caps, and glove are parts of baseball uniforms. Many traditional uniforms have different logos and colors to tell which team is which the uniforms may also worn to identify the two teams and officials apart. However, sports jersey and other apparel are typically sold clean and unsoiled. A sports fan may wish to wear apparel that appears to be dirty and soiled to give the illusion that the apparel has been broken in and “played” in.

Various attempts have been made to solve the above-mentioned problems such as those found in U.S. Pat No. 5,029,343 to Wade A. McIntyre; U.S. Pat. No. 6,702,861 to Stanley Trask et al, U.S. Pat. No. 7,427,299 to Kris T. Ziakas; U.S. Pat. No. 4,997,450 to Lynne A. Olson et al; U.S. Pub. No. 2011/0047669 to Chad Carr; and U.S. Pub. No. 2004/0083529 to Trenton L. Tate. This prior art is representative of sports and athletic apparel. None of the above inventions and patents, taken either singly or in combination, is seen to describe the invention as claimed.

Ideally, sports and athletic apparel should give the look and feel of authentic play, yet, would operate reliably and be manufactured at a modest expense. Thus, a need exists for a reliable authentic dirt shirts and bags systems to provide an additional souvenir option for sports fans who wish to wear sports apparel that appear authentically dirty and worn, and to avoid the above-mentioned problems.

BRIEF SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

In view of the foregoing disadvantages inherent in the known sports apparel art, the present invention provides a novel authentic dirt shirts and bags system. The general purpose of the present invention, which will be described subsequently in greater detail, is to provide a novel line of sports and athletic apparel which may appear to be authentically worn and dirty. The present invention, which will be discussed in greater detail provides a new and unique line of sports apparel which may be stained and dirtied using authentic dirt or soil from which the home team of the depicted player on the sports apparel hails. The novel line of sports athletic apparel of the present invention may be worn by a sports fan to provide protection against the elements during a sporting event while providing a unique aesthetical appeal to sports spectators and enthusiasts.

The present invention may generally comprise an article of sports apparel which may depict a team logo representing the insignia of a sports organization. The apparel may comprise a baseball uniform or jersey, baseball shirt, cap, tote bag, or some other uniform or jersey of another sport (such as soccer and the like.)

The article of sports apparel may purposely be stained via a dying process which may give the look and appearance that the apparel has been worn in a sporting activity. The article of sports apparel may also be useful as environmental protection from ambient elements while a fan is actively cheering and watching the sporting activity. Furthermore, the stain may be non-removably embedded into a fabric surface of the sports apparel such that it is not readily removable via a washing process. Additionally, the stain may comprise dirt which may have been removed from a stadium where a home team plays (as depicted by the team logo.) It is contemplated that a sports fan may be enticed to own a jersey that shares a piece of the stadium of the home team as a unique novelty item. In one embodiment, the stain comprises a colored dye comprising an aqueous solution which may further comprise a dirt-resembling-pigment.

The present invention holds significant improvements and serves as authentic dirt shirts and bags systems. For purposes of summarizing the invention, certain aspects, advantages, and novel features of the invention have been described herein. It is to be understood that not necessarily all such advantages may be achieved in accordance with any one particular embodiment of the invention. Thus, the invention may be embodied or carried out in a manner that achieves or optimizes one advantage or group of advantages as taught herein without necessarily achieving other advantages as may be taught or suggested herein. The features of the invention which are believed to be novel are particularly pointed out and distinctly claimed in the concluding portion of the specification. These and other features, aspects, and advantages of the present invention will become better understood with reference to the following drawings and detailed description.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

The figures which accompany the written portion of this specification illustrate embodiments and method(s) of use for the present invention, authentic dirt shirts and bags systems, constructed and operative according to the teachings of the present invention.

FIG. 1 shows a perspective view illustrating an authentic dirt shirts and bags systems comprising a dirty baseball jersey in an ‘in-use’ condition being worn by a user according to an embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 2 is a perspective view illustrating a dirty baseball shirt according to an embodiment of the present invention of FIG. 1.

FIG. 3 is a rear perspective view illustrating a perspective view of the dirty baseball jersey according to an embodiment of the present invention of FIG. 1.

FIG. 4 is a perspective view illustrating a method of spraying treated color dye to the dirty baseball jersey by the user depicting a slide streak according to an embodiment of the present invention of FIG. 1.

FIG. 5A is a front perspective view illustrating the authentic dirt shirts and bags systems comprising a tote bag according to an embodiment of the present invention of FIG. 1.

FIG. 5B is a front perspective view illustrating the authentic dirt shirts and bags systems comprising a cap according to an embodiment of the present invention of FIG. 1.

FIG. 6 is a flowchart illustrating a method of use according to an embodiment of the present invention of FIGS. 1-5.

The various embodiments of the present invention will hereinafter be described in conjunction with the appended drawings, wherein like designations denote like elements.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

As discussed above, embodiments of the present invention relate to an authentic dirt shirts and bags systems more particularly to novel line of sports and athletic apparel which may appear to be authentically worn and dirty. The novel line of sports athletic apparel of the present invention may be worn by a user to provide protection against the elements during a sporting event while providing a unique aesthetical appeal to sports fans.

Embodiments of authentic dirt shirts and bags systems 100 may comprise an article of sports apparel comprising team logo 120, wherein the article of sports apparel is purposely stained to give the look and appearance that the article of sports apparel has been worn in a sporting activity. Further, the article of sports apparel is useful as environmental protection from ambient elements while a fan is actively cheering and watching a sporting activity. The stain may preferably be non-removably embedded into a fabric surface of the sports apparel such that it is not removable via a washing process. Additionally, the dirt may comprise soil removed from a stadium where a home team plays that may be depicted by team logo 120. The stain may comprise colored dye 125 whereby colored dye 125 may comprise an aqueous solution comprising a dirt-resembling-pigment. Such a dirt-resembling-pigment may be brown or tan in color. Furthermore, colored dye 125 may be used in combination with a mordant to improve the fastness of colored dye 125 to the sports apparel.

It should be appreciated that sports apparel may comprise dirty baseball jersey 110, dirty baseball shirt 200, tote bag 500, or cap 520 (as shown). Alternatively, authentic dirt shirts and bags systems 100 may comprise football jersey 590, soccer jersey 594, or other such athletic gear and apparel. It should be appreciated that football jersey 590, soccer jersey 594, or other athletic gear and apparel.

Referring to the drawings by numerals of reference there is shown in FIG. 1, authentic dirt shirts and bags system 100 during ‘in-use’ condition 150. In one embodiment of the present invention, authentic dirt shirts and bags system 100 may comprise dirty baseball jersey 110 being worn by user 140 while walking to baseball stadium 160 to watch a sporting event such as a baseball game. Dirty baseball jersey 110 may comprise a long-sleeve baseball shirt (or short sleeve) which may be treated with colored dye 125 thereby giving dirty baseball jersey 110 an appearance that dirty baseball jersey 110 has been authentically worn and aged as a result of the game of baseball. In such a manner, dirty baseball jersey 110 may appear similar to a baseball uniform as worn by a professional MLB baseball player during the game of baseball.

In continuing to refer to FIG. 1, dirty baseball jersey 110 may comprise team logo 120 comprising a logo, symbol, or indicia depicting the logo of a baseball organization which may be stitched into the material of dirty baseball jersey 110. It should be appreciated that dirty baseball jersey 110 may be manufactured depicting team logo 120 of any baseball organization based upon player popularity, current trends, or may be customized based on preference of user 140.

Referring now to FIG. 2, showing a perspective view illustrating an alternative embodiment of authentic dirt shirts and bags systems 100. As shown, authentic dirt shirts and bags systems 100 may comprise dirty baseball shirt 200. Dirty baseball shirt 200 may comprise a short-sleeved athletic shirt which may depict team logo 120. In one embodiment, dirty baseball shirt 200 may be manufactured using knit fabric. Alternatively, dirty baseball shirt 200 may comprise cotton, nylon, wool, polyester, or synthetic fibers.

In still referring to FIG. 2, dirty baseball shirt 200 may comprise colored dye 125 which may be non-washably embedded into the fabric thereby giving dirty baseball shirt 200 a worn and aged appearance. Furthermore, dirty baseball shirt 200 may comprise colored dye 125 which may be infused with authentic stadium soil 130. In such a manner, user 140 may feel more connected to his or her favorite player, team, or sports organization because a piece of the stadium depicted by team logo 120 is embedded into the fabric of dirty baseball shirt 200.

Referring now to FIG. 3, illustrating a perspective view of authentic dirt shirts and bags systems 100 according to an embodiment of the present invention of FIG. 1. As shown, authentic dirt shirts and bags systems 100 may comprise dirty baseball jersey 110 which may comprise a long-sleeve baseball uniform. Dirty baseball jersey 110 may comprise slide streak 300 which may appear as if a baseball player has slid into a base. In such a manner, slide streak 300 may tend to increase the authentic appearance of dirty baseball jersey 110. Dirty baseball jersey 110 may further comprise team logo 120. It should be appreciated that team logo 120 may comprise a design, logo, or indicia representing any professional sports team's organization.

As best seen in FIGS. 1 & 3, authentic dirt shirts and bags systems 100 may comprise an article of sports apparel comprising dirty baseball jersey 110, wherein dirty baseball jersey 110 comprises a team logo 120, and wherein dirty baseball jersey 110 is purposely stained to give the look and appearance that dirty baseball jersey 110 has been worn in a sporting activity. The stain may be non-removably embedded into a fabric surface of dirty baseball jersey 110 such that the stain is not removable via a washing process. The stain may comprise dirt removed from a stadium where a home team represented by team logo 120 plays, and the said stain may further comprise colored dye 125 combined with an aqueous solution to create the stain. It should be noted that colored dye 125 may be used in combination with a mordant to improve the fastness of colored dye 125 to dirty baseball jersey 110. It should further be appreciated that dirty baseball jersey 110 may be useful as environmental protection from ambient elements while user 140 is actively cheering and watching a sporting activity.

In referring now to FIG. 4, illustrating a method of spraying treated color dye 410 during ‘in-use’ condition 450 to dirty baseball jersey 110. In such a manner, treated color dye 410 may depict slide streak 300 according to an embodiment of the present invention of FIGS. 1 & 3. As shown, slide streak 300, may be created with use of spray can 405 which may contain treated color dye 410. In one embodiment, treated color dye 410 may comprise an aqueous solution. It should be noted that treated color dye 410 may be applied to dirty baseball jersey 110 in combination with a mordant to improve the fastness of treated color dye 410 to dirty baseball jersey 110. It should be noted that treated color dye 410 may comprise a natural dye, or alternatively a synthetic dye. Preferably, treated color dye 410 comprises a pigment which may comprise a brown or tan color. In such a manner, treated color dye 410 may give dirty baseball jersey 110 the appearance that dirty baseball jersey 110 has been authentically worn over a period of time and is soiled with authentic stadium soil 130 depicted by team logo 120. Once slide streak 300 is applied to dirty baseball jersey 110, it may be hung from drying rack 425 in order for treated color dye 410 to properly set into the fabric. The dying process may be performed manually (as shown) or non-manually. Iron-oxide may be used to provide appearance of slide streak 300.

It has also been contemplated that the various embodiments of authentic dirt shirts and bags systems 100 may be colored and stained via the technique of azoic dyeing, in which an insoluble azo dye is produced directly onto or within the fiber. This may be achieved by treating a fibre with both diazoic and coupling components. With suitable adjustment of dyebath conditions the two components react to produce the required insoluble azo dye. This technique of dyeing is unique, in that the final color is controlled by the choice of the diazoic and coupling components.

When treated color dye 410 is used in combination with mordant, the fastness of the dye against water, light, and perspiration is significantly improved. The choice of mordant is very important as different mordants can change the final color significantly. Most natural dyes are mordant dyes and there is therefore a large literature base describing dyeing techniques. The most important mordant dyes are the synthetic mordant dyes, or chrome dyes, used for wool; these comprise some 30% of dyes used for wool, and are especially useful for black and navy shades. The mordant, potassium dichromate, is applied as an after-treatment which may be used in preferred embodiments of the present invention.

With regards to authentic dirt shirts and bags systems 100 comprising dirty baseball jersey 110, it should be noted that conventionally each individual baseball player wears a home jersey and an away jersey. The home jersey is typically lighter in color (ie. white) and the away jersey is dark in color. In such a manner, dirty baseball jersey 110 may be manufactured in both a home style and away style and stain may be darkened or lightened to be suitably visible. Dirty baseball shirt 200 and tote bag 500 in combination may comprise a kit for sale. Kit may also comprise other items of sporting garments.

In referring now to FIG. 5A, showing a front perspective view illustrating authentic dirt shirts and bags system 100 comprising tote bag 500 according to an embodiment of the present invention. As shown, tote bag 500 may appear authentically worn and dirty as a result of colored dye 125 infused in the fabric of tote bag 500. Further, tote bag 500 may comprise team logo 120 on at least one exterior surface. It should be appreciated that tote bag 500 may be manufactured depicting team logo 120 of any sports organization based upon team popularity, current trends, or may be customized based on preference of user 140. It should be appreciated that trademark use permission should be sought for producing the present invention when using team logos with such protection.

In referring now to FIG. 5B, showing a front perspective view illustrating authentic dirt shirts and bags system 100 comprising cap 520 according to an embodiment of the present invention. As shown, cap 520 may comprise a baseball cap which may appear authentically worn and dirty as a result of colored dye 125 infused in the fabric of cap 520. It should be appreciated that cap 520 may be manufactured depicting team logo 120 of any sports organization based upon team popularity, current trends, or may be customized based on preference of user 140.

In alternative embodiments of authentic dirt shirts and bags systems 100 which may not be shown, the novel line of apparel may comprise football jersey, soccer jersey, or other athletic gear and apparel. It should be appreciated that football jersey, soccer jersey, or other athletic gear and apparel may comprise various colors, player names, and team logo 120 depicting indicia depicting a variety of professional sports organizations.

FIG. 6 shows flowchart 650 illustrating method of use 600 of authentic dirt shirts and bags systems 100 according to a preferred embodiment of the present invention of FIGS. 1-5. Method of use 600 may comprise the steps of: step one 601 applying (manually or non-manually) colored dye 125 comprising authentic stadium soil 130 to authentic dirt shirts and bags systems 100 apparel, step two 602 spraying slide streak 300 to dirty baseball jersey 110 via spray can 405 (or other), and step three 603 drying dirty baseball jersey 100 using drying rack 425.

It should be noted that the steps described in the method of use can be carried out in many different orders according to user preference. Upon reading this specification, it should be appreciated that, under appropriate circumstances, considering such issues as design preference, user preferences, marketing preferences, cost, structural requirements, available materials, technological advances, etc., other methods of use arrangements such as, for example, different orders within above-mentioned list, elimination or addition of certain steps, including or excluding certain maintenance steps, etc., may be sufficient.

The embodiments of the invention described herein are exemplary and numerous modifications, variations and rearrangements can be readily envisioned to achieve substantially equivalent results, all of which are intended to be embraced within the spirit and scope of the invention. Further, the purpose of the foregoing abstract is to enable the U.S. Patent and Trademark Office and the public generally, and especially the scientist, engineers and practitioners in the art who are not familiar with patent or legal terms or phraseology, to determine quickly from a cursory inspection the nature and essence of the technical disclosure of the application.