Garment carrier

Abstract

A garment carrier ( 1 00 ) comprises an outer backing portion ( 103 ), an inner cover portion ( 104 ) arranged over an inner surface of the outer backing portion ( 103 ) to form a compartment for receiving a garment between the outer backing portion ( 103 ) and the inner cover portion ( 104 ). A resilient frame ( 116 ) inhibits folding of the garment carrier ( 100 ) and biases the garment carrier ( 100 ) to a generally flat unrolled configuration. The garment carrier ( 100 ) is adapted to be rolled from the unrolled configuration into a hollow rolled configuration and fastened in the rolled configuration using a fastening mechanism ( 132 ).

1 . A longitudinally extending garment carrier having laterally a rolled configuration and an unrolled configuration, the garment carrier comprising:
 an outer backing portion;   an inner cover portion arranged over an inner surface of the outer backing portion to form a compartment, wherein the compartment is accessible for receiving a garment between the outer backing portion and the inner cover portion when the garment carrier is in the unrolled configuration; and   a resilient frame that inhibits folding of the garment carrier laterally to the longitudinal length of the garment carrier and has a resilient bias, biasing the garment carrier to the unrolled configuration; and   a fastening mechanism is adapted to fasten the garment carrier in the roller configuration;   wherein the resilient frame is coiled against the resilient bias in the rolled configuration; and   wherein the resilient frame comprises two generally parallel lateral stiffening ribs and two generally parallel flexible and resilient elongate straps formed from polyvinyl chloride or another plastic material, wherein the elongate straps are coiled in the rolled configuration.   
     
     
         2 . The garment carrier of  claim 2  wherein the resilient frame is a component of the outer backing portion. 
     
     
         3 . The garment carrier of  claim 1  further comprising a gusseted upper section between the outer backing portion and the inner cover portion for receiving a coat hanger. 
     
     
         4 . The garment carrier of  claim 3  wherein the gusseted upper section is curved with the outer backing portion radially outward relative to the inner cover portion, so that the curved upper section assists in rolling the garment carrier into the rolled configuration. 
     
     
         5 . The garment carrier of  claim 3  wherein the gusseted upper section is formed from moulded plastic or bonded foam. 
     
     
         6 . The garment carrier of  claim 3  further comprising a clothes hanger attachment provided at an apex of the gusseted upper section. 
     
     
         7 . The garment carrier of  claim 3  wherein the inner cover portion is formed from polyvinyl chloride or another plastic material. 
     
     
         8 . The garment carrier of  claim 7  wherein the inner cover portion is formed at least in part with a plastic material that is adapted to hold an electrostatic charge that allows the inner cover portion to adhere to the garment by electrostatic forces. 
     
     
         9 . The garment carrier of  claim 1  further comprising a clothes hanger detachably mounted in the compartment. 
     
     
         10 . The garment carrier of  claim 1  further comprising a zip mechanism provided on the inner cover portion for providing closable access to the compartment between the outer backing portion and the inner cover portion. 
     
     
         11 . The garment carrier of  claim 1  further comprising a shoulder strap attachable to the garment carrier for carrying the garment carrier in the rolled configuration. 
     
     
         12 . The garment carrier of  claim 11  further comprising a cover adapted to enclose the garment carrier in the rolled configuration. 
     
     
         13 . The garment carrier of  claim 1  further comprising a generally cylindrical bag adapted to be releasably secured to the inner cover portion.