US20090229037A1

US20090229037A1 - Pocket plus

Info

Publication number: US20090229037A1
Application number: US12/048,661
Authority: US
Inventors: Joseph BUGNI
Original assignee: Individual
Current assignee: Wrangler Apparel Corp
Priority date: 2008-03-14
Filing date: 2008-03-14
Publication date: 2009-09-17

Abstract

A pocket structure for a garment comprising an external covering element. The external covering element may be sewn to the garment and may form an opening of the pocket structure. The pocket structure may further comprise an elastic band. The elastic band may be sewn at a corner of the opening and between a side of the external covering element and the garment.

Description

TECHNICAL FIELD

The present invention generally relates to pockets. More specifically, the present invention relates to pockets with expandable openings.

BACKGROUND

It is known that clothes and other items are usually provided with pockets having various shapes, which are meant to contain small objects, coins, documents and the like or are used as a mere trimming.
Pockets, particularly in clothes, are generally constituted by a pouch sewn inside an appropriate opening of the item of clothing. However, external pockets applied as patches, pockets cut in the lining, and others are also in widespread use.
Depending on its shape, the pocket may have a greater or smaller opening. However, it is evident that the opening of a pocket is currently predefined, independently of its utilization requirements. In other words, the opening of conventional pockets cannot be adapted so as to facilitate actual use. For example, a user may experience difficulty in getting a key from a pocket if the user wears a winter glove. Similarly, a worker may have difficulty reaching for a tool in a pocket wearing a protective glove. Furthermore, fixed openings of pockets may not be comfortable for users, such as when a cell phone is placed therein.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION

The present invention is directed to a pocket that may be expanded at its opening. The enlarged opening may facilitate a user to more easily reach inside the pocket. In one of many embodiments, for example, a pocket in accord with the present disclosure may comprise an elastic band. The elastic band may be sewn between a side seam of the pocket and then a back patch of the pocket. In another exemplary embodiment, a pocket in accordance with certain embodiments of the present invention may be a pocket of a pair of jeans. The pocket may comprise a triangular elastic band. The triangular elastic band may be sewn into a side seam of the jeans and then to an outseam of the pocket. The triangular elastic band may be sewn in a non-stretched state and when stretched, may allow for movement of the pocket opening. With the elastic band sewn into the side seam, there may be more space for a user to put a hand into the pocket. Thus, the user may experience more comfort of entry into the pocket of the jeans.
The invention may be embodied in numerous other systems and through numerous other methods. The following detailed description, which, when taken in conjunction with the annexed drawings, discloses examples of the invention. Other embodiments, which incorporate some or all of the features, are also possible.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

Referring to the drawings, which form a part of this disclosure:

FIG. 1 shows a pocket with expandable opening in accordance with certain embodiments of the present invention; and

FIG. 2 shows a pocket of a pair of jeans with expandable opening in accordance with certain embodiments of the present invention.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

FIG. 1 shows a pocket structure 100 that may be employed in accordance with certain embodiments of the present invention. The pocket structure 100 may comprise an external covering element 102. The external covering element 102 may be sewn to a garment 104. The external covering element 102 may comprise a top side 106. The top side 106 may form an opening for the pocket structure 1 00. The pocket structure 100 may further comprise an elastic band 108. The elastic band 108 may be at a corner of the top side 106, thus at a corner of the opening of the pocket structure 100. The elastic band 108 may be of a triangular shape. A first side 110 a of the elastic band 108 may be sewn to the external covering element 102. A second side 110 b of the elastic band 108 may be sewn to the garment 104. A third side 110 c of the elastic band 108 may be part of the opening for the pocket structure 100. The triangular elastic band 108 may be in a non-stretched state when sewn into the garment. However, when stretched, the triangular elastic band 108 may allow for expandable movement of the pocket opening. For example, the pocket structure 100 may provide more of an opening for a user to put a hand into the pocket. Therefore, the user may experience more comfort when using the pocket.
FIG. 2 shows a pocket structure 200 of a pair of jeans 204 with a expandable opening in accordance with other embodiments of the present invention. The pocket 200 may comprise an external covering element 202. The external covering element 202, which may be a part of the pair of jeans 204. The external covering element 202 may comprise a top side 206. The top side 206 may have a curved shape and form a curved opening for the pocket structure 200. The top side 206 may comprise a sewing seam 216. Further, the top side 206 may comprise two metallic buttons 212 and 214 at two ends of the sewing seam 216. The two metallic buttons 212 and 214 buttons may provide decoration and may also strengthen the material for the opening. The pocket structure 200 may further comprise an elastic band 208. The elastic band 208 may be at a corner of the top side 206, thus at a corner of the opening of the pocket structure 200. The elastic band 208 may be of a triangular shape. A first side 210 a of the elastic band 208 may be sewn to the external covering element 202. A second side 210 b of the elastic band 208 may be sewn to the pair of jeans 204. A third side 210 c of the elastic band 208 may be part of the opening for the pocket structure 200. A user of the pocket structure 200 may enjoy comfort of entry provided by the elasticity to the opening. The triangular elastic band 208 may be in a non-stretched state when sewn into the garment. A user of the pocket structure 200 may stretch the triangular elastic band 208 to reach into the pocket. In one particular embodiment, the elasticity may provide one fourth to one half inch in the pocket opening.
It should be noted that in the exemplary embodiment shown in FIG. 2, the second side 210 b of the elastic band 208 may be sewn into a side seam 220 of the pair of jeans 204. In another exemplary embodiment, the second side 210 b of the elastic band 208 may be sewn to a different place of the pair of jeans. Still other configurations may be used.
The examples described herein are merely illustrative, as numerous other embodiments may be implemented without departing from the spirit and scope of the exemplary embodiments of the present invention. Moreover, while certain features of the invention may be shown on only certain embodiments or configurations, these features may be exchanged, added, and removed from and between the various embodiments or configurations while remaining within the scope of the invention.

Claims

1. A pocket structure on an exterior of a garment, the pocket structure comprising:

an external covering element, wherein the external covering element is sewn to the garment and forms an opening of the pocket structure; and

an elastic band, wherein the elastic band is sewn at a corner of the opening and between a side of the external covering element and the garment.

2. The pocket structure of claim 1, wherein the elastic band has a triangular shape, a first side of the elastic band is sewn to the external covering element, a second side of the elastic band is sewn to the garment, a third side of the elastic band is a section of the opening.

3. The pocket structure of claim 2, wherein the garment is a pair of jeans.

4. The pocket structure of claim 3, wherein the first side of the elastic band is sewn into an outseam of the pocket structure and the second side of the elastic band is sewn into a side seam of the pair of jeans.

5. The pocket structure of claim 3, wherein the opening has a curved shape.

6. The pocket structure of claim 3, wherein the opening is a top side of the external covering element, the top side of the external covering element comprises at least one metallic button.

7. The pocket structure of claim 3, wherein the opening is a top side of the external covering element, the top side of the external covering element comprises a seam at about the opening and two metallic buttons at about two ends of the seam.

8. The pocket structure of claim 1, wherein the elastic band is in a non-stretched position, if stretched, the elastic band enables the pocket structure to have one fourth to one half inch elasticity in the opening.

9. A pocket structure on an exterior of a pair of jeans, the pocket structure comprising:

an elastic band in a non-stretched state, wherein the elastic band has a triangular shape and is sewn at a corner of the opening, a first side of the elastic band is sewn into an outseam of the pocket structure, a second side of the elastic band is sewn into a side seam of the pair of jeans, and a third side of the elastic band forms a section of the opening.

10. The pocket structure of claim 9, wherein the opening has a curved shape.

11. The pocket structure of claim 9, wherein the opening is a top side of the external covering element, and the top side of the external covering element comprises at least one metallic button.

12. The pocket structure of claim 9, wherein the opening is a top side of the external covering element, the top side of the external covering element comprises a seam at about the opening and two metallic buttons at about two ends of the seam.

13. The pocket structure of claim 9, wherein if stretched, the elastic band enables the pocket structure to have one fourth to one half inch elasticity in the opening.

14. A pocket structure on an exterior of a pair of jeans, the pocket structure comprising:

an external covering element, wherein the external covering element is sewn to the garment and forms a curved opening of the pocket structure, the curved opening is a top side of the external covering element, the top side of the external covering element comprises a seam at about the curved opening and two metallic buttons at about two ends of the seam; and

an elastic band, wherein the elastic band is in a non-stretched state and is sewn at a corner of the curved opening, and if stretched, the elastic band enables the pocket structure to have one fourth to one half inch elasticity in the curved opening, the elastic band comprises three sides, a first side of the elastic band is sewn into an outseam of the pocket structure, a second side of the elastic band is sewn into a side seam of the pair of jeans, and a third side of the elastic band forms a section of the curved opening.