Device in which a garment with a crinkled appearance may be cleaned

Abstract

A device in which a garment with a crinkled appearance may be stored or laundered is taught comprising a washable bag with sufficient elasticity to retain the garment in a predetermined position so that the appearance of the garment remains crinkled. So that the washable bag can be dried as well as washed, the bag is preferably made from fabric that resists melting at temperatures conventionally experienced during the clothes drying process. The bag further has snag-free surface and at least one opening to receive the garment. Means for hanging may be provided so that the device can be easily stored.

1 . A device in which a garment with a crinkled appearance may be cleaned comprising a washable bag, having means for compressing a garment disposed therein, into which the garment may be drawn. 
   
   
       2 . The device of  claim 1 , in which the means for compressing comprises the bag having sufficient elasticity to retain the garment in a predetermined position so that the appearance of the garment remains crinkled. 
   
   
       3 . The device of  claim 1 , in which the bag is made from fabric that resists melting at temperatures conventionally experienced during the clothes drying process and can be used in hot air environments, such as a clothes dryer. 
   
   
       4 . The device of  claim 1 , in which the bag comprises a sleeve independent of a snagging surface. 
   
   
       5 . The device of  claim 4 , in which the sleeve is elongated with a top end and a bottom end and a top opening. 
   
   
       6 . The device of  claim 5 , in which the sleeve has a bottom opening. 
   
   
       7 . The device of  claim 4 , in which the device has a longitudinal opening and means for closing the longitudinal opening. 
   
   
       8 . The device of  claim 7 , in which the means for closing the longitudinal opening comprises a zipper. 
   
   
       9 . The device of  claim 4 , in which the sleeve is elongated with a top end and a bottom end and a bottom opening. 
   
   
       10 . The device of  claim 6 , in which the cross-sectional area of the top opening is greater than the cross-sectional area of the bottom opening. 
   
   
       11 . The device of  claim 5 , in which the means for compressing comprises the elongated sleeve having at least one drawstring for applying a squeezing pressure toward the centerline of the sleeve to retain the garment in a predetermined position so that the appearance of the garment remains crinkled. 
   
   
       12 . The device of  claim 5 , further comprising means for hanging with a top hanger disposed proximate the top end for supporting the top end of the sleeve at a higher elevation than the bottom end and with a bottom hanger disposed proximate the bottom end for supporting the bottom end of the sleeve at a higher elevation than the top end, so that the device can be hung from one of the top end, the bottom end, and both the top end and the bottom end. 
   
   
       13 . The device of  claim 5 , further comprising means for hanging disposed proximate the top end for supporting the top end of the sleeve at a higher elevation than the bottom end. 
   
   
       14 . The device of  claim 9 , further comprising means for hanging disposed proximate the bottom end for supporting the bottom end of the sleeve at a higher elevation than the top end. 
   
   
       15 . The device of  claim 13 , in which the means for hanging comprises a top loop disposed proximate the top end for supporting the top end of the sleeve at a higher elevation than the bottom end, said top loop comprises a strap that can be secured with velcro® or the like so that the device can be supported on a cloth hanging rod independent of a top hanger. 
   
   
       16 . The device of  claim 13 , in which the means for hanging comprises a drawstring fastened to the top opening of the sleeve. 
   
   
       17 . The device of  claim 1 , in which the elastic bag has sufficient elasticity to retain the garment in a predetermined position so that the appearance of the garment remains crinkled. 
   
   
       18 . A device for maintaining a crinkled appearance of a garment comprising a bag, having means for compressing a garment disposed in said bag, into which the garment may be drawn, said bag having sufficient compressibility to retain the garment in a predetermined crinkled position so that the crinkled appearance of the garment is sustained upon removal from the bag. 
   
   
       19 . A method for cleaning a garment having a crinkled appearance comprising:
 a. crinkling the garment in a predetermined position;   b. drawing the garment in the predetermined position into a washable elastic bag having sufficient elasticity to retain the garment in the predetermined position;   c. washing the garment in the bag; and   d. drying the garment in the bag, so that the crinkled appearance of the garment is sustained upon removal from the bag.   
   
   
       20 . The method of  claim 19 , further comprising the step of storing the garment in the predetermined position in the bag. 
   
   
       21 . A method for cleaning a garment having a crinkled appearance comprising:
 a. crinkling the garment in a predetermined position;   b. drawing the garment in the predetermined position into a washable bag having means for compressing a garment disposed in said bag, said bag having sufficient compressibility to retain the garment in the predetermined position;   c. washing the garment in the bag; and   d. drying the garment in the bag, so that the crinkled appearance of the garment is sustained upon removal from the bag.   
   
   
       22 . The method of  claim 21 , further comprising the step of activating the means for compressing to retain the garment in the predetermined position. 
   
   
       23 . The method of  claim 21 , further comprising the step of storing the garment in the predetermined position in the bag. 
   
   
       24 . The method of  claim 23 , further comprising the step of deactivating the means for compressing to release a squeezing pressure directed toward the center of the bag that retained the garment in the predetermined position. 
   
   
       25 . A method for retaining a crinkled appearance of a garment comprising:
 a. crinkling the garment in a predetermined position;   b. drawing the garment in the predetermined position into a bag, having means for compressing a garment disposed in said bag, said bag having sufficient compressibility to retain the garment in the predetermined position;   c. storing the garment in the predetermined position in the bag; and   d. removing the garment from the bag, so that the crinkled appearance of the garment is sustained upon removal from the bag.   
   
   
       26 . The method of  claim 25 , further comprising the step of activating the means for compressing to retain the garment in the predetermined position. 
   
   
       27 . The method of  claim 25 , further comprising the step of storing the garment in the predetermined position in the bag. 
   
   
       28 . The method of  claim 26 , further comprising the step of deactivating the means for compressing to release a squeezing pressure directed toward the center of the bag that retained the garment in the predetermined position.