GARMENT CARRIER

Garment Carrier

This invention relates to a garment carrier.

Garment carriers are known for transporting garments mounted on hangers. Such carriers generally comprise a front and rear rectangular fabric panels, which are interconnected around their edges. An opening extends longitudinally along the centre of the front panel and a zip fastener is provided for closing the opening. An aperture is formed in the upper end of the carrier, in line with the opening.

In use, garments on hangers can be inserted into the carrier through the opening, the hooks of the hangers then being passed through the aperture. The garments can then be transported by grasping the hangers by their hooks which extend through the upper end of the cover.

Many people are choosing to cycle or jog to work and carry a change of clothes, since they do not wish to cycle or jog in their work clothes. It will be appreciated that it is not possible to carry a traditional garment carrier of the above-mentioned type and thus it can be difficult for cyclists and joggers to carry work clothes in rucksacks and panniers without creasing them.

I have now devised a garment carrier which alleviates the above-mentioned problem.

In accordance with this invention, there is provided a garment carrier comprising front and rear portions of flexible material, which are interconnected around their edges to define an article of apparel for wearing on the torso, and a compartment which extends over a substantial region of the rear portion and comprises an opening enabling insertion of a garment to be carried into the compartment.

The size of the compartment on the back of the carrier is sufficient to contain work clothes, such as shirts, blouses, jackets, trousers and skirts in a flat condition without excessive folding. The carrier can then be worn as apparel on the torso, with the garments being retained against the wearer's back in a relatively crease proof manner.

The garment may define apparel, such as a coat, jacket or cape for wearing on the torso. The apparel preferably comprises sleeves and an opening for the wearer's neck. The front of the carrier may comprise an opening to facilitate donning of the apparel.

Preferably the opening of the compartment extends longitudinally of the back portion of the carrier, between top and bottom ends of thereof. In an alternative embodiment, the opening extends at least partially around the compartment adjacent a peripheral edge thereof.

In order to enable a jacket or other garment for wearing on the torso to be carried, the compartment is preferably wider and/or longer than the apparel defined by the carrier.

In one embodiment, the compartment is defined between a first panel which defines the rear of the defined apparel, and a second panel, the opening preferably being provided in said second panel.

In an alternative embodiment, the compartment may be defined between a pair of panels of a detachable pouch, means being provided for attaching the pouch to a rear panel of the apparel defined by the carrier.

Preferably means are provided inside the compartment for supporting the or each garment to be carried.

Preferably the garment supporting means comprises a hanger, means preferably being provided for mounting the hanger inside the compartment.

Preferably the hanger is formed of a flexible material.

Alternatively or additionally, the garment supporting means may comprise one or hooks or clips disposed inside the compartment.

Preferably the carrier comprises means for hanging the carrier against a door, wall or other structure. Also, the carrier may comprise means to enable clothes to be hung from the carrier whilst dressing: this could be achieved by a hook or other member that can be extended outwardly from the compartment when needed. Also in accordance with this invention, there is provided a method of carrying a garment comprising providing a garment carrier as hereinbefore defined and inserting the garment to be carried into the compartment through said opening.

Preferably the carrier is donned following insertion of the garment into the compartment.

Embodiments of the present invention will now be described by way of examples only and with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which:

Figure 1 is a rear view of a garment carrier in accordance with the present invention;

Figure 2 is a sectional view along the line Il -Il of Figure 1 ;

Figure 3 is a rear view of a second embodiment of garment carrier in accordance with this invention when in use and with the rear panel thereof being omitted for illustrative purposes; and

Figure 4 is a sectional view of a third embodiment of garment carrier in accordance with this invention.

Referring to Figures 1 and 2 of the drawings, there is shown a garment carrier comprising a front portion 10 and a rear portion 11 , which are interconnected to define an article of apparel in the form of a jacket for wearing on the torso.

The jacket comprises a front panel 12 having a longitudinally-extending opening 13 provided with a fastener (not shown) and a rear panel 14. The jacket further comprises sleeves 15, 16 and a neck collar 17.

The rear portion 1 1 of the garment carrier comprises a back panel 18, which is positioned against the rear panel 14 of the jacket. An opening 19 extends longitudinally of substantially the full length of the back panel 18, with respective sides of the opening 19 being provided with respective portions 2Oh, 2Op of a hook- and-pile or zip fastener. The opening 19 provides access to a compartment 21 defined between the rear panel 14 of the jacket and the back panel 18 of the carrier. It will be appreciated that the compartment 21 extends over the entire rear portion 1 1 of the carrier. In a further embodiment, the rear panel 18 of the carrier may be larger than the back panel 14 of the jacket, so as to provide a compartment of increased size as shown by the dotted lines in Figure 2.

A conventionally-shaped clothes hanger 23 formed of a flexible material is provided for insertion into the compartment 21. A clip or hook 24 may be provided for mounting the hanger 23 in a position between the shoulder portions of the jacket.

In use, shirts, blouses, jackets, trousers and skirts can be hung on the hanger 23 prior to insertion of the latter into the compartment 21. The hanger 23 can then be mounted in-situ across the shoulders by fastening it to the hook or clip 24. The opening 19 in the back panel can then be sealed by the hook and pile fastener 2Oh, 2Op to prevent the ingress of water.

The jacket can then be donned by the user and it will be appreciated that the garments on the hanger 23 are held flat against the wearer's back in a position which enables the wearer to jog, cycle or pursue other activities without having to support the garments by hand.

In an alternative embodiment, a u-shaped opening 31 (shown in outline in Figure 1 ) extends at least partially around opposite sides and one end of the back panel 18 to define a flap which can be opened to gain access to the compartment 21.

The panels are preferably formed of a waterproof material.

Referring to Figure 3 of the drawings, there is shown an alternative embodiment of garment carrier in accordance with the present invention and like parts are given like reference numerals. In this embodiment, a plurality of clips 30 are provided inside the compartment 21 for engaging and supporting garments e.g. 32. The clips 30 may be repositionable. The clips 30 may also be used in conjunction with a hanger of the kind shown in Figures 1 and 2. Referring to Figure 4 of the drawings, there is shown an alternative embodiment of garment carrier in accordance with the present invention and like parts are given like reference numerals. In this embodiment, the compartment 121 is defined between a pair of fabric panels 114, 1 15 of a pouch 1 16 which is detachably fastened to the rear panel 14 of the jacket by fasteners 1 15. The rear panel 118 of the pouch is provided with an opening 1 19.

A garment carrier in accordance with the present invention is simple and inexpensive in construction yet provides a simple and reliable way of enabling persons to cycle or jog or pursue other activities whilst carrying a change of clothes in an un-creased condition.