Case for transporting and storing a garment

Abstract

The present invention relates to a case for transporting and storing garments, especially collapsible garments, and especially petticoats. The case may be fashioned of a tubular housing usually maintained in an upright, vertical orientation. The housing includes a base end that may be flared outwardly to help stabilize the housing in an upright position. At least one end, and preferably both ends, of the housing are open whereby a garment, such as a petticoat, may be stuffed into the hollow interior of the housing. The interior of the housing is sized and surfaced such that the garment is maintained within the housing through compressive frictional engagement with the interior will of the housing. A case and garment combination is also disclosed. A method for transporting and storing a garment is also disclosed.

1 . A case adapted for transporting and storing a collapsible garment, said case comprising:
 a substantially tubular, substantially rigid housing having an interior void, an interior wall defining said interior void, and at least one open longitudinal end through which said collapsible garment may be inserted into said interior void, said interior wall being selectively configured and surfaced such that when said collapsible garment is inserted through said at least one longitudinal end and into said interior void, the outer periphery of said collapsible garment contacts said interior wall and said collapsible garment is maintained within said housing essentially only by compressive frictional engagement between the outer periphery of said collapsible garment and said interior wall; and   a handle connected to said housing.   
     
     
         2 . A case according to  claim 1  wherein said interior void of said housing is substantially cylindrical and possesses a diameter substantially in the range of about 7 inches to about 16 inches. 
     
     
         3 . A case according to  claim 2  wherein said range is about 8 inches to about 12 inches. 
     
     
         4 . A case according to  claim 3  wherein said range is about 9 inches. 
     
     
         5 . A case according to  claim 1  wherein said at least one open longitudinal end of said housing possesses an outwardly flared configuration such that said housing may rest upon its outwardly flared longitudinal end in a substantially upright condition. 
     
     
         6 . A case according to  claim 5  wherein said flared configuration is substantially conical and extends at an angle substantially in the range of about 30 degrees to about 60 degrees. 
     
     
         7 . A case according to  claim 5  wherein the length of said flared configuration is substantially in the range of about 3 inches to about 8 inches. 
     
     
         8 . A case according to  claim 1  wherein said handle comprises a substantially bowed rod, the ends of which are bent and oriented inwardly toward the other rod end, said rod being resilient such that the rod ends may be forcefully moved against a bias away from each other and return toward each other when such force is released, the outer surface of said housing possessing a pair of ears adjacent to one longitudinal end of said housing, each ear provided with an associated aperture therein configured to received a corresponding rod end therein. 
     
     
         9 . A case according to  claim 8  wherein each aperture is configured to receive a corresponding rod end pivotably therein. 
     
     
         10 . A case according to  claim 5  wherein said housing is provided with a plurality of apertures extending therethrough in the region of said flared configuration. 
     
     
         11 . A case according to  claim 1  wherein said housing possesses a substantially tapered interior wall such that said housing is adapted to receive stackably and nestably therein a like-constructed case. 
     
     
         12 . A case adapted for transporting and storing a collapsible garment, said case consisting essentially of:
 a substantially tubular, substantially rigid housing having an interior void, an interior wall defining said interior void, and at least one open longitudinal end through which said collapsible garment may be inserted into said interior void, said interior wall being selectively configured and surfaced such that when said collapsible garment is inserted through said at least one longitudinal end and into said interior void, the outer periphery of said collapsible garment contacts said interior wall and said collapsible garment is maintained within said housing essentially only by compressive frictional engagement between the outer periphery of said collapsible garment and said interior wall; and   a handle connected to said housing.   
     
     
         13 . A case according to  claim 12  wherein said interior void of said housing is substantially cylindrical and possesses a diameter substantially in the range of about 7 inches to about 16 inches. 
     
     
         14 . A case according to  claim 13  wherein said range is about 8 inches to about 12 inches. 
     
     
         15 . A case according to  claim 14  wherein said range is about 9 inches. 
     
     
         16 . A case according to  claim 12  wherein said at least one open longitudinal end of said housing possesses an outwardly flared configuration such that said housing may rest upon its outwardly flared longitudinal end in a substantially upright condition. 
     
     
         17 . A case according to  claim 16  wherein said flared configuration is substantially conical and extends at an angle substantially in the range of about 30 degrees to about 60 degrees. 
     
     
         18 . A case according to  claim 16  wherein the length of said flared configuration is substantially in the range of about 3 inches to about 8 inches. 
     
     
         19 . A case according to  claim 12  wherein said handle comprises a substantially bowed rod, the ends of which are bent and oriented inwardly toward the other rod end, said rod being resilient such that the rod ends may be forcefully moved against a bias away from each other and return toward each other when such force is released, the outer surface of said housing possessing a pair of ears adjacent to one longitudinal end of said housing, each ear provided with an associated aperture therein configured to received a corresponding rod end therein. 
     
     
         20 . A case according to  claim 19  wherein each aperture is configured to receive a corresponding rod end pivotably therein. 
     
     
         21 . A case according to  claim 16  wherein said housing is provided with a plurality of apertures extending therethrough in the region of said flared configuration. 
     
     
         22 . A case according to  claim 12  wherein said housing possesses a substantially tapered interior wall such that said housing is adapted to receive stackably and nestably therein a like-constructed case. 
     
     
         23 . A case adapted for transporting and storing a collapsible garment, said case comprising:
 means for receiving the garment in a collapsed state and for containing the collapsed garment essentially only by compressive friction applied against an outer periphery of the garment when the garment is in a collapsed state; and   means connected to said receiving and containing means for assisting a person in manually carrying said receiving and containing means at least when the garment is in a collapsed state and the collapsed garment is received and contained in said receiving and containing means.   
     
     
         24 . A carrying case including a collapsible garment stowed therein, wherein said case comprises:
 means for receiving the garment in a collapsed state and for containing the collapsed garment essentially only by compressive friction applied against an outer periphery of the collapsed garment when the garment is in a collapsed state; and   means connected to said receiving and containing means for assisting a person in manually carrying said receiving and containing means at least when the garment is in a collapsed state and the collapsed garment is received and contained in said receiving and containing means;   and wherein said collapsed garment is contained in said receiving and containing means essentially only by compressive friction applied against an outer periphery of said collapsed garment.   
     
     
         25 . A carrying case including a collapsed garment according to  claim 24  wherein said garment consists essentially of a petticoat. 
     
     
         26 . A method of stowing a garment comprising:
 (a) providing a case comprising a substantially tubular, substantially rigid housing having an interior void, an interior wall defining said interior void, and having an open longitudinal base end possessing an outwardly flared configuration such that said housing may rest and stand upon the outwardly flared longitudinal base end thereof in a substantially upright condition;   (b) passing said garment in a collapsed state through said open longitudinal base end of said housing;   (c) stuffing said garment into said interior void such that said garment is retained in said housing essentially only by compressive frictional engagement of the outer periphery of said collapsed garment against the interior wall of said housing; and   (d) after step (c), resting said housing on said open longitudinal base end thereof such that said housing stands in a substantially upright condition while said garment is stuffed therein.   
     
     
         27 . A method according to  claim 26  wherein said garment consists essentially of a petticoat. 
     
     
         28 . A method according to  claim 27  wherein said case further comprises a handle connected to said housing and wherein said method further comprises
 (e) carrying said case by said handle such that said housing continues to be in substantially upright condition. 
 
     
     
         29 . A method according to  claim 26  wherein said housing possesses a substantially tapered interior wall such that said housing is adapted to receive stackably and nestably therein a like-constructed case. 
     
     
         30 . A case for transporting and storing a garment comprising:
 a housing possessing a substantially open, outwardly flared bottom end and a substantially open upper end, said housing adapted to rest upon said flared bottom end whereby said housing stands in an upright condition;   means for receiving the garment in a collapsed state and for containing the collapsed garment essentially only by compressive friction applied against an outer periphery of the collapsed garment when the garment is in a collapsed state; and   means for transporting said housing while substantially continuously maintaining said housing in a substantially upright condition.   
     
     
         31 . A case according to  claim 30  wherein said housing possesses a substantially tapered interior wall such that said housing is adapted to receive stackably and nestably therein a like-constructed case.