US4404689A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Flexible container
Assignee: Individual
•
Filing: 1980-12-22
•
Granted: 1983-09-20
•
Expires: 2000-12-22
Abstract
Abstract A flexible container for an article constructed in accordance with a predetermined three-dimensional shape which represents the reproduction of a desired item is now being added to the state-of-the-art. The container while being flexible is also self-sustaining so that it can retain its predetermined three-dimensional shape without the assistance of any external agent. The flexible container is stored with the article when it is not serving as a container for the article. The predetermined three-dimensional shape which the flexible container assumes when it is to serve as a container for the article is relinquished when stored with the article so as not to interfere with the intended use of the article.
Inventors
- 👤 Thomas E. DeWan
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-11-04 09:18
CPC Classifications
A; A41; A41D; A41D27/00; A41D27/20; A41D15/00; A41D15/04
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 21
Claim 1
Independent Claim
81 words
A three-dimensional flexible container for an article which is complete and functional apart from the container, comprising: at least one flexible forming piece encompassing a volume by construction and defining thereby a predetermined shape which is continuous and self-sustaining, and which represents the reproduction of a desired three-dimensional item, the function of which is unassociated with the function of a container; said flexible container being attached to the article and, upon assuming its predetermined shape, being adaptable to enclose the article.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
81 words
A three-dimensional flexible container for an article which is complete and functional apart from the container, comprising: at least one flexible forming piece encompassing a volume by construction and defining thereby a predetermined shape which is continuous and self-sustaining, and which represents the reproduction of a desired three-dimensional item, the function of which is unassociated with the function of a container; said flexible container being attached to the article and, upon assuming its predetermined shape, being adaptable to enclose the article.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
18 words
The three-dimensional flexible container as defined in claim 1, wherein the flexible container forms part of the article.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
108 words
A three-dimensional flexible container for a flexible garment which is complete and functional apart from the container, comprising: at least one flexible forming piece encompassing a volume by construction and defining thereby a predetermined shape which is continuous and self-sustaining, and which represents the reproduction of a desired three-dimensional item, the function of which is unassociated with the function of a container; said flexible container being attached to the flexible garment and, upon assuming its predetermined shape, being adaptable to enclose the flexible garment; and closure means for opening and closing the flexible container enabling the flexible garment to be stored within and removed from the flexible container.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
108 words
A three-dimensional flexible container for a flexible garment which is complete and functional apart from the container, comprising: at least one flexible forming piece encompassing a volume by construction and defining thereby a predetermined shape which is continuous and self-sustaining, and which represents the reproduction of a desired three-dimensional item, the function of which is unassociated with the function of a container; said flexible container being attached to the flexible garment and, upon assuming its predetermined shape, being adaptable to enclose the flexible garment; and closure means for opening and closing the flexible container enabling the flexible garment to be stored within and removed from the flexible container.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
20 words
The three-dimensional flexible container as defined in claim 3, wherein the flexible container is a pocket in the flexible garment.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
15 words
The three-dimensional flexible container as defined in claim 4, wherein the enclosure means is adjustable.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
19 words
The three-dimensional flexible container is defined in claim 5, wherein the closure means comprises a double sided zipper slider.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
53 words
The three-dimensional flexible container as defined in claim 3, further comprising: at least one carrying strap secured to said flexible container for extending outwardly therefrom upon storage of the flexible garment within the flexible container and for being stored in the flexible container upon removal of the flexible garment from the flexible container.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
108 words
In combination, a flexible garment and a three-dimensional flexible container forming part of the flexible garment which is complete and functional apart from the container, comprising: at least one flexible forming piece encompassing a volume by construction and defining thereby a predetermined shape which is continuous and self-sustaining, and which represents the reproduction of a desired three-dimensional item the function of which is unassociated with the function of a container; said flexible container, upon assuming its predetermined shape, being adaptable to enclose the flexible garment; closure means for opening and closing the flexible container enabling the flexible garment to be stored within and removed from the flexible container.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
108 words
In combination, a flexible garment and a three-dimensional flexible container forming part of the flexible garment which is complete and functional apart from the container, comprising: at least one flexible forming piece encompassing a volume by construction and defining thereby a predetermined shape which is continuous and self-sustaining, and which represents the reproduction of a desired three-dimensional item the function of which is unassociated with the function of a container; said flexible container, upon assuming its predetermined shape, being adaptable to enclose the flexible garment; closure means for opening and closing the flexible container enabling the flexible garment to be stored within and removed from the flexible container.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
18 words
The combination as defined in claim 8, wherein the flexible container is a pocket in the flexible garment.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
13 words
The combination as defined in claim 9, wherein the closure means is adjustable.
Claim 14
Dependent Claim
17 words
The combination as defined in claim 10, wherein the closure means comprises a double sided zipper slider.
Claim 15
Dependent Claim
51 words
The combination as defined in claim 8, wherein the flexible container further comprises: at least one carrying strap secured to said flexible container for extending outwardly therefrom upon storage of the flexible container and for being stored in the flexible container upon removal of the flexible garment from the flexible container.
Claim 16
Dependent Claim
113 words
In combination, a flexible garment and a reversible, three-dimensional, flexible container attachable to the flexible garment for enclosing the flexible garment when it is not in use, the flexible garment being complete and functional apart from the container, the container comprising: at least one flexible forming piece having opposed surfaces, said flexible forming piece defining, by construction, a predetermined shape which is continuous and self-sustaining, and which represents the reproduction of a desired three-dimensional item, the function of which is unassociated with the function of a container; said container assuming its predetermined shape and encompassing said volume by either of said opposed surfaces, and as such being adaptable to enclose the flexible garment.
Claim 17
Dependent Claim
113 words
In combination, a flexible garment and a reversible, three-dimensional, flexible container attachable to the flexible garment for enclosing the flexible garment when it is not in use, the flexible garment being complete and functional apart from the container, the container comprising: at least one flexible forming piece having opposed surfaces, said flexible forming piece defining, by construction, a predetermined shape which is continuous and self-sustaining, and which represents the reproduction of a desired three-dimensional item, the function of which is unassociated with the function of a container; said container assuming its predetermined shape and encompassing said volume by either of said opposed surfaces, and as such being adaptable to enclose the flexible garment.
Claim 18
Independent Claim
81 words
A method of using a container for an article for representing the reproduction of a desired three-dimensional item, comprising the steps of: forming the container from at least one flexible forming piece to encompass a volume by construction and define thereby a predetermined three-dimensional shape which is continuous and self-sustaining, and which represents the reproduction of the desired three-dimensional item, the function of which is unassociated with the function of a container; and attaching the container so formed to the article.
Claim 19
Independent Claim
81 words
A method of using a container for an article for representing the reproduction of a desired three-dimensional item, comprising the steps of: forming the container from at least one flexible forming piece to encompass a volume by construction and define thereby a predetermined three-dimensional shape which is continuous and self-sustaining, and which represents the reproduction of the desired three-dimensional item, the function of which is unassociated with the function of a container; and attaching the container so formed to the article.
Claim 20
Independent Claim
98 words
A method of using a container for a garment for representing the reproduction of a desired three-dimensional item, comprising the steps of: providing at least one flexible forming piece having opposed surfaces; forming the container from said at least one flexible forming piece to encompass, by either of said opposed surfaces, a volume by construction and define thereby a predetermined three-dimensional shape which is continuous and self-sustaining, and which represents the reproduction of the desired three-dimensional item, the function of which is unassociated with the function of a container; and attaching the container so formed to the garment.
Claim 21
Independent Claim
98 words
A method of using a container for a garment for representing the reproduction of a desired three-dimensional item, comprising the steps of: providing at least one flexible forming piece having opposed surfaces; forming the container from said at least one flexible forming piece to encompass, by either of said opposed surfaces, a volume by construction and define thereby a predetermined three-dimensional shape which is continuous and self-sustaining, and which represents the reproduction of the desired three-dimensional item, the function of which is unassociated with the function of a container; and attaching the container so formed to the garment.
References Cited (Backward Citations)
US2143931A
Cited
US2292347A
Cited
US2324722A
Cited
US2325494A
Cited
US2513074A
Cited
DE815934C
Cited
US2825902A
Cited
US2959789A
Cited
US2971198A
Cited
US3085254A
Cited
US4064562A
Cited
US4060852A
Cited
USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 1986-09-19 | 1987-03-21 | 1987-09-20 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1990-09-19 | 1991-03-21 | 1991-09-20 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1994-09-19 | 1995-03-21 | 1995-09-20 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |