Multiple Garment Bag Systems and Methods of Use

Abstract

The present invention includes methods and apparatus in which a first reusable bag is provided for the collection of soiled garments, laundry and/or other clothing items, and a second reusable bag is provided for the return of these items after they have been cleaned. The first bag may be provided in the form of a hamper that is open at the top, with one or more hooks that allow the bag to be hung from a clothing rod. The second foldable bag may be attached to or engaged with a hook of the first bag, and is provided in a form that may be folded up when not in use, and then unfolded to various levels for containment and protection of clean items that have been hung on standard hangers. Some embodiments include a third foldable bag similar to the second foldable bag. Other embodiments include only the second bag.

1 . A garment transportation system comprising:
 a. a first garment bag comprising a pair of oppositely positioned side panels joined together at one end, and a pair of oppositely positioned end panels attached between said side panels forming a hamper with an open top wherein each of said side panels includes a hook at an upper edge thereof for engagement with a clothing rod; and   b. a second garment bag provided with said first bag, said second bag having an opening at a top thereof for receiving at least one hanger hook, a lower loop at a bottom thereof, and a zipper along a side thereof for opening and closing said second bag for insertion and removal of items.   
     
     
         2 . The garment transportation system of  claim 1  wherein said second garment bag further comprises at least one upper loop provided adjacent to said top opening for engagement around a hook of said first garment bag. 
     
     
         3 . The garment transportation system of  claim 1  wherein said second garment bag further comprises a metal bracket attached adjacent to said top opening, wherein said bracket has includes an external loop for engagement around a hook of said first garment bag. 
     
     
         4 . The garment transportation system of  claim 2  wherein at least one button is provided on said second garment bag for engagement with said lower loop when said second garment bag is in a folded condition. 
     
     
         5 . The garment transportation system of  claim 4  wherein said at least one button is provided along said zipper. 
     
     
         6 . The garment transportation system of  claim 2  wherein at least one attachment device is provided on a side of said second garment bag for holding said second garment bag against itself in a folded condition. 
     
     
         7 . The garment transportation system of  claim 6  wherein said attachment device is selected from the group of: a button, a snap, strips of interengaging hooks and loops, and combinations thereof. 
     
     
         8 . The garment transportation system of  claim 1  wherein said second garment bag further comprises at least one internal flap provided adjacent to said top opening for folding over items hanging inside said bag to protect the items from outside materials. 
     
     
         9 . The garment transportation system of  claim 1  wherein said second garment bag further comprises two internal flaps provided adjacent to said top opening for folding over items hanging inside said bag to protect the items from outside materials. 
     
     
         10 . The garment transportation system of  claim 1  further comprising a third garment bag attached to the other of said side panels of said first bag, said third bag having an opening at a top thereof for receiving at least one hanger hook, a loop at a bottom thereof, and a zipper along a side thereof for opening and closing said third bag for insertion and removal of items. 
     
     
         11 . The garment transportation system of  claim 10  wherein said third garment bag further comprises at least one upper loop provided adjacent to said top opening for engagement around a hook of said first garment bag. 
     
     
         12 . The garment transportation system of  claim 10  wherein said third garment bag further comprises a metal bracket attached adjacent to said top opening, wherein said bracket has includes an external loop for engagement around a hook of said first garment bag. 
     
     
         13 . The garment transportation system of  claim 11  wherein at least one button is provided on said third garment bag for engagement with said lower loop when said third garment bag is in a folded condition. 
     
     
         14 . The garment transportation system of  claim 13  wherein said at least one button is provided along said zipper. 
     
     
         15 . The garment transportation system of  claim 11  wherein at least one attachment device is provided on a side of said third garment bag for holding said third garment bag against itself in a folded condition. 
     
     
         16 . The garment transportation system of  claim 15  wherein said attachment device is selected from the group of: a button, a snap, strips of interengaging hooks and loops, and combinations thereof. 
     
     
         17 . The garment transportation system of  claim 10  wherein said third garment bag further comprises at least one internal flap provided adjacent to said top opening for folding over items hanging inside said bag to protect the items from outside materials. 
     
     
         18 . The garment transportation system of  claim 10  wherein said third garment bag further comprises two internal flaps provided adjacent to said top opening for folding over items hanging inside said bag to protect the items from outside materials. 
     
     
         19 . A multiple bag garment transportation system comprising:
 a. a first garment bag comprising a pair of oppositely positioned side panels joined together at one end, and a pair of oppositely positioned end panels attached between said side panels forming a hamper with an open top wherein each of said side panels includes a hook at an upper edge thereof for engagement with a clothing rod;   b. a second garment bag provided with said first bag, said second bag having an opening at a top thereof for receiving at least one hanger hook; a lower loop at a bottom thereof; a zipper along a side thereof for opening and closing said second bag for insertion and removal of items; at least one upper loop provided adjacent to said top opening for engagement around a hook of said first garment bag; at least one attachment device provided on a side of said second garment bag for holding said second garment bag against itself in a folded condition said attachment device selected from the group of a button, a snap, strips of interengaging hooks and loops, and combinations thereof; and two internal flaps provided adjacent to said top opening for folding over items hanging inside said bag to protect the items from outside materials; and   c. a third garment bag provided with said first bag, said third bag having an opening at a top thereof for receiving at least one hanger hook; a lower loop at a bottom thereof; a zipper along a side thereof for opening and closing said third bag for insertion and removal of items; at least one upper loop provided adjacent to said top opening for engagement around a hook of said first garment bag; at least one attachment device provided on a side of said third garment bag for holding said third garment bag against itself in a folded condition said attachment device selected from the group of a button, a snap, strips of interengaging hooks and loops, and combinations thereof; and two internal flaps provided adjacent to said top opening for folding over items hanging inside said bag to protect the items from outside materials.   
     
     
         20 . A bag for transporting cleaned garments comprising a pair of oppositely positioned side panels joined together at one end, and a pair of oppositely positioned pleated end panels attached between said side panels forming said bag, an opening at a top thereof for receiving at least one hanger hook; a lower loop at a bottom thereof; a zipper along a side thereof for opening and closing said bag for insertion and removal of clothing items; at least one upper loop provided adjacent to said top opening for engagement around a hook of a hanger; at least one attachment device provided on a side of said bag for holding said bag against itself in a folded condition; and two internal flaps provided adjacent to said top opening for folding over items hanging inside said bag to protect the items from outside materials. 
     
     
         22 . The bag of  claim 20  wherein said upper loop further comprises a metal bracket attached adjacent to said top opening. 
     
     
         23 . The bag of  claim 20  wherein said attachment device is selected from the group consisting of a button, a snap, strips of interengaging hooks and loops, and combinations thereof. 
     
     
         24 . A method of transporting garments for cleaning comprising the steps of:
 a. collecting soiled items in a first garment bag of a garment transportation system, said system comprising:
 1. said first garment bag comprising a pair of oppositely positioned side panels joined together at one end, and a pair of oppositely positioned end panels attached between said side panels forming a hamper with an open top wherein each of said side panels includes a hook at an upper edge thereof for engagement with a clothing rod; and 
 2. a second garment bag provided with said first bag, said second bag having an opening at a top thereof for receiving at least one hanger hook, an upper loop at the top thereof, a lower loop at a bottom thereof, and a zipper along a side thereof for opening and closing said second bag for insertion and removal of items; 
   b. folding said second garment bag against said side panel;   c. placing said upper and lower loops of said second garment bag around the hook of said side panel;   d. delivering said garment transportation system to a cleaning service;   e. cleaning said soiled items;   f. hanging said cleaned items on hangers with hooks;   g. removing the lower loop of said second bag from said hook, and unfolding said second garment bag;   h. inserting said cleaned items into said second bag such that said hooks of said hangers protrude through said opening in said second bag; and   i. closing said zipper on said second bag to protect said cleaned items.   
     
     
         25 . A method of transporting garments for cleaning comprising the steps of:
 a. collecting soiled items and delivering said them to a cleaning service;   b. cleaning said soiled items;   c. hanging said cleaned items on hangers with hooks;   d. inserting said cleaned items into a garment bag such that said hooks of said hangers protrude through an opening in said bag, said opening being located at a top thereof for receiving at least one hanger hook; a metal bracket attached adjacent to said top opening, said bracket having an upper loop therein for engagement with a hanger hook; a lower loop at a bottom thereof; and a zipper along a side thereof for opening and closing said bag for insertion and removal of items;   e. closing said zipper on said second bag to protect said cleaned items; and   f. engaging said upper loop over said hanger hook.