US20080232720A1

Movatterモバイル変換

Info

Publication number: US20080232720A1
Application number: US12/053,441
Authority: US
Inventors: Krisanthe Karagiannis
Original assignee: Individual
Current assignee: Individual
Priority date: 2007-03-23
Filing date: 2008-03-21
Publication date: 2008-09-25

Abstract

A flexible organizer comprising a flexible panel member and a pocket member, the flexible panel member comprising a fastener portion, the pocket member comprising a pocket opening and a fastener portion, and wherein the pocket member is releasably attached to the panel member via an engagement of the panel member fastener portion with the pocket member fastener portion. Such an organizer allows users to conveniently and efficiently organize items such as children's toys in a manner that allows easy and modularized access to the toys and easy clean-up of the toys. Also disclosed is a method for using the flexible organizer as well as a method for customizing the flexible organizer.

Description

CROSS-REFERENCE AND PRIORITY CLAIM TO RELATED PATENT APPLICATION

This patent application claims priority to provisional patent application Ser. No. 60/896,760, entitled “Flexible Organizer with Detachable Pocket Members”, filed Mar. 23, 2007, the entire disclosure of which is incorporated herein by reference.

BACKGROUND AND SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The inventor herein believes that there has been a long-felt need but unresolved need in the art for an apparatus and method for organizing items such as children's toys, wherein the apparatus and method provide users with quick and effective abilities to organize those items while still capturing the user's interest in a manner that overcomes many people's general disinclination to organize their belongings and keep their living areas free from clutter. The inventor believes that this need is particularly strong-felt with respect to the messes that children often leave in homes as they play with their toys. Furthermore, the inventor believes that there is a long-felt but unresolved need for an organizer which is easily used by young children on their own.

In an effort to address these needs in the art, disclosed herein as an embodiment of the invention is a flexible organizer comprising a flexible panel member and a pocket member, the flexible panel member comprising a fastener portion, the pocket member comprising a pocket opening and a fastener portion, and wherein the pocket member is releasably attached to the panel member via an engagement of the panel member fastener portion with the pocket member fastener portion. Multiple such pocket members can be releasably attached to the panel member. Such an organizer allows users to conveniently and efficiently organize items such as children's toys (e.g., puzzle pieces, blocks, action figures, miniature cars, etc.) in a manner that allows easy and modularized access to the toys and easy clean-up of the toys. In a preferred embodiment, the fasteners used to releasably attach the pocket member to the panel member comprise opposing hook and loop fasteners. In this way, users are provided with quick and effective means for quickly attaching and detaching pocket members to/from the panel member as needed.

Furthermore, with its modularized design, the pocket members can be used for storage independently of their releasable attachment to the panel member. For example, a user may decide to store one or more pocket members (and the toys contained therein) in a closet or on a shelf even if those pocket members are unattached to the panel member. Also, in an embodiment wherein means for hanging are provided on the pocket members themselves (e.g., the pocket handles discussed hereinafter), the pocket members can themselves be hung from a suitable hanging location (e.g., door or wall).

Also disclosed as another embodiment of the invention is a method comprising releasably attaching a pocket member to a flexible panel member, the flexible panel member comprising a fastener portion, the pocket member comprising a pocket opening and a fastener portion, and wherein the releasably attaching step comprises releasably attaching the pocket member to the panel member via an engagement of the panel member fastener portion with the pocket member fastener portion. Once again, multiple such pocket members can be releasably attached the panel member as needed. A user can thus store items as needed in the pocket members as noted above.

Also disclosed as another embodiment of the invention is a method for permitting customization of a flexible organizer, the flexible organizer comprising a flexible panel member and a pocket member that is releasably attachable to the panel member, the pocket member comprising a front face and a pocket opening for storing a plurality of items, wherein this method comprises: (1) electronically receiving an input from a customer, the electronically received input corresponding to a desired pattern to be visible on a front face of the pocket member, and (2) responsive to the electronically received input, providing a product to the customer with the desired pattern printed thereon such that the customer is enabled to customize the flexible organizer in a manner that the pocket member exhibits a desired pattern on its front face. In this way, desirable patterns (e.g., favorite cartoon characters, a depiction of the child's name, etc.) can be depicted on the front face of the pocket members to thereby enhance the interest of a user such as a child in using the flexible organizer to organize and keep his/her room clean.

These and other features and advantages of the present invention will be apparent to those having ordinary skill in the art upon review of the following description and drawings.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIGS. 1(a)-(c) depict an exemplary panel member for an exemplary embodiment of the invention;

FIGS. 2(a)-2(g) depict exemplary pocket members for exemplary embodiments of the invention;

FIGS. 3(a)-(c) depict how pocket members can be releasably attached to a panel member in accordance with exemplary embodiments of the invention;

FIGS. 4-7 depict different exemplary strip patterns that can be used with the panel member for releasably attaching pocket members thereto in an exemplary embodiment of the invention;

FIG. 8 depicts an exemplary horizontal strip pattern that can be used with the panel member for releasably attaching pocket members thereto in an exemplary embodiment of the invention;

FIG. 9 depicts an exemplary pocket member formed with a mesh material;

FIG. 10 depicts a front view of an exemplary pocket member formed with a label area thereon;

FIGS. 11(a) and (b) depict an exemplary pocket member cover pattern which can be releasably attached to the pocket member's front face in accordance with an exemplary embodiment of the invention;

FIG. 11(c) depicts a front view of an exemplary pocket member with an exemplary pocket member cover pattern releasably attached thereto;

FIG. 12 depicts an exemplary process flow for customer selection of an appropriate pocket member cover pattern for their pocket member(s);

FIG. 13 depicts another exemplary process flow for customer selection of an appropriate pocket member cover pattern for their pocket member(s);

FIGS. 14(a) and (b) depict an exemplary panel member with hanging loops that are located on the panel member such that the loops are not exposed during use;

FIGS. 15(a) and (b) depict exemplary embodiments for a panel member wherein holes are provided in the panel member for hanging the panel member from a hanging platform;

FIG. 16 depicts an exemplary panel member which uses straps extending from its top and bottom ends for hanging the panel member as desired; and

FIGS. 17(a) and (b) depict an exemplary panel member with opposing fasteners placed at opposite ends of the panel member for allowing for panel member to be securely folded.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

FIG. 1(a) depicts a front view of anexemplary panel member100.FIG. 1(b) depicts a side view of anexemplary panel member100.Panel member100 is preferably aflexible panel member100 formed from a canvas or fabric material102 (e.g., cotton) that is preferably machine-washable. It should appreciated by those having ordinary skill in the art that the canvas orfabric material102 can be a natural or synthetic material. Whilematerial102 can take any of a variety of shapes (e.g., rectangle, square, circle, oval, etc.), its shape is preferably a rectangle with alonger dimension108 on a vertical y axis and ashorter dimension110 on a horizontal x axis. As should be understood from the description and figures herein, with respect to a panel member that is hanging from a wall or a door, wherein the view shown inFIG. 1(a) would be a front view, the vertical dimension would correspond to height. Likewise, with respect to a panel member that is lying flat on a floor, in which case the front view ofFIG. 1(a) would be a view of the panel member with respect to an upright person looking down, the vertical dimension would correspond to a dimension that is parallel to the plane of the floor. Exemplary values for

dimensions

108 and110 can be around 36 inches and 15 inches respectively. However, it should be understood that other dimension values could readily be used in the practice of the invention.Material102 preferably has athickness112 sufficient to retain a sturdiness to thematerial102 while still providing flexibility such that thepanel member100 can be rolled or folded as shown inFIG. 1(c).

A plurality of loop and hook fastener (e.g., Velcro; hereinafter the term loop and hook fastener will be referred to as a Velcro fastener)strips104 are preferably disposed vertically alongdimension108 on afront face114 ofmaterial102. While in the example ofFIG. 1(a), threesuch strips104 are shown, it should be understood that more orfewer strips104 may be used in the practice of the invention. Also, while it is preferred that a plurality ofstrips104 be substantially equally spaced along thefront face114 ofmaterial102, this need not be the case. The front/exposedface118 of eachstrip104 is preferably a Velcro fastener, while a back face of eachstrip104 is preferably engaged with thefront face114 ofmaterial102.Strips104 are preferably sewn intomaterial102 or otherwise attached thereto.

A plurality ofloops106 are preferably attached to a top portion of thematerial102 as shown inFIGS. 1(a)-(c). While only twoloops106 are shown, it should be readily understood that more or fewersuch loops106 could be used in the practice of the invention. For example, the inventor believes that the use of threeloops106 would be helpful for stability when hanging the panel member (the threeloops106 being relatively equally spaced along the top portion of thematerial102, with themiddle loop106 be centered along the horizontal dimension of the panel member). Vialoops106, a user can hang thepanel member100 from a wall, door or other suitable hanging location. For example,loops106 could be used to hang thepanel member100 from a door or wall in a child's bedroom. Various hooks could be used withloops106 to hang thepanel member100, as should be understood by those having ordinary skill in the art. When not being hung, panel member can be spread out on a floor or rolled/folded into a stowable state as shown inFIG. 1(c) for easy storage in a closet or trunk.

FIG. 2(a) depicts a front view of anexemplary pocket member200.FIG. 2(b) depicts a back view of anexemplary pocket member200.FIG. 2(c) depictspocket member200 such that its pocket opening212 is visible.FIG. 2(d) depicts a side view of anexemplary pocket member200. Pocketmember200 is preferably formed from a canvas or fabric material202 (e.g., cotton) that is preferably machine-washable. Whilepocket member200 can take any of a variety of shapes (e.g., rectangle, square, circle, oval, etc.), its shape is preferably a rectangle with alonger dimension208 on the vertical y axis and ashorter dimension206 on the horizontal x axis, as shown inFIG. 2(a). Exemplary values for

dimensions

208 and206 can be around 19 inches and 13¼ inches respectively. However, it should be understood that other dimension values could readily be used in the practice of the invention. For example, by using smaller values fordimension206, it may be possible to releasably attach two ormore pocket members200 for a given elevation on thepanel member100, as explained below.Pocket member200 preferably has athickness212 that will expand as items such as children's playthings are placed inside opening212 of thepocket member200.

Pocket member

200 also preferably has ahandle member204.Handle member204 preferably comprises first andsecond handle members204 which are sewn or otherwise part of opposing sides of the pocket defined by opening212, as shown inFIGS. 2(a)-(d). Handlemembers204 allow users to readily tote pocket members.

As shown inFIGS. 2(b) and (d), theback face218 ofpocket member200 preferably has astrip210 attached thereto.Strip210 is preferably disposed horizontally alongdimension206 on the pocket member'sback face218, preferably at a height toward the top of the pocket member (e.g., within an inch or a few inches of the top of pocket member200). The exposed face eachstrip210 is preferably a Velcro fastener, while a back face of eachstrip210 is preferably engaged with the pocket member'sback face218.Strip210 is preferably sewn into the pocket member'sback face218 or otherwise attached thereto. It should be noted that the exposed Velcro fastener face ofstrip210 is preferably of the opposite type with respect to the exposed Velcro fastener face ofstrips104 such that a user can readily attach/detachpocket member200 to/from panel member100 (e.g.,strip104 is the loop portion of the Velcro fastener whilestrip210 is the hook portion of the Velcro fastener, or vice versa).

Optionally, as shown inFIGS. 2(e)-(g),pocket member200 can include opposing first and second Velcro fastener strips220 and222 disposed near a top portion of opening212 to allow a user to readily and releasably seal/unsealopening212, which will help prevent spillage of items frompocket member200.FIG. 2(e) depicts a front view of such apocket member200 including a depiction of thestrip220 along in the interior ofopening212.FIG. 2(f) depicts a rear view of such apocket member200 including a depiction of thestrip222 along the interior ofopening212.FIG. 2(g) depicts a side view of such apocket member200 that shows how

strips

220 and222 can engage each other for releasable attachment. It should be understood that alternatives to

strips

220 and222 can be used, such as buttons, snaps, a drawstring, and others.

As indicated above, one ormore pocket members200 can be releasably attached topanel member100 as shown inFIGS. 3(a)-(c) via the Velcro fastener action of

strips

104 and210.FIG. 3(a) depicts only asingle pocket member200 releasably attached topanel member100, whileFIG. 3(c) depicts four

pocket members

200₁,200₂,200₃and200₄releasably attached topanel member100.FIG. 3(b) depicts a side view of the arrangement shown inFIG. 3(a).

Thus, usingpanel member100 andpocket members200 of the present invention, parents and children can efficiently clean and organize children's playthings in a fun and effective manner. For example, eachpocket member200 can be devoted to a different class of toys (e.g.,pocket member200₁for Puzzle A, onepocket member200₂for Puzzle B,pocket member200₃for building blocks, and so on). Toys can be quickly deposited into anappropriate pocket member200, and eachpocket member200 can be quickly releasably attached topanel member100 via

strips

104 and210. Furthermore,panel member100 with pocket member(s)200 attached thereto can be readily hung from an appropriate platform (e.g., wall, door, etc.), thereby keeping a floor area clear of mess. Further still,panel member100 can stay hung while a child detaches one of thepocket members200 to play with the toy(s) inside. Further yet,panel member100 with pocket member(s)200 attached thereto can be readily put away in storage (e.g., closet or trunk) by removing the panel member100 (with pocket member(s)200 still attached thereto) from its hanging platform, optionally folding/rolling panel member100 (with pocket member(s)200 still attached thereto) into a stowable state as shown inFIG. 1(c), and placing the panel member100 (with pocket member(s)200 still attached thereto) into storage.

While the embodiment ofFIG. 1(a) showspanel member100 having horizontally spaced apartvertical strips104, it should be noted that other arrangements ofstrips104 could be used. However, the inventor notes that the vertical arrangement is advantageous because it allows a user to hang apocket member200 from any position along the height of strip(s)104, wherein strip(s)104 preferably cover the substantial extent ofpanel member100's height. For example, as would be understood by those having ordinary skill in the art, a substantial extent of coverage would still be achieved if an inch or two along the top or bottom edges of thepanel member100 were left without strip coverage.

As an exemplary alternative tovertical strips104,FIG. 4 depicts an embodiment wherein theVelcro fastener strip104 is arranged in an “X” pattern along thefront face114 ofmaterial102. As another exemplary alternative tovertical strips104,FIG. 5 depicts an embodiment wherein the Velcro fastener strips104 are arranged in a diagonal pattern along thefront face114 ofmaterial102. As yet another exemplary alternative tovertical strips104,FIG. 6 depicts an embodiment wherein theVelcro fastener strip104 is arranged in an asterisk pattern along thefront face114 ofmaterial102. As still another exemplary alternative tovertical strips104,FIG. 7 depicts an embodiment wherein theVelcro fastener strip104 is arranged in a rectangular shape along thefront face114 ofmaterial102 such that a substantial amount offront face114 is covered by thestrip104.

With the exemplary embodiments ofFIGS. 1(a) and4-7, it should be appreciated thatstrip104 is continuous along its extent in the vertical direction such that a user can releasably attach apocket member200 at any arbitrary height along the vertical extent ofstrip104.

It should also be noted thatstrips104 may optionally be arranged as horizontal strips across thex-dimension110 ofpanel member100, as shown inFIG. 8. However, such an arrangement is considered less desirable becausehorizontal strips104 would limit the user to releasably attaching thepocket members200 only at height locations along thepanel member100 where astrip104 is located.

It should also be noted that a user may optionally releasably attachmultiple pocket members200 at the same (or similar) height location along strip(s)104, particularly if thehorizontal dimension206 of thepocket members200 is less than thehorizontal dimension110 of the panel member (or at least the horizontal extent of strip(s)104). Furthermore, it should be appreciated that whenmultiple pocket members200 are releasably attached topanel member100, thedifferent pocket members200 may optionally be of different sizes.

Optionally, theback face218 ofpocket member200 can be formed of a mesh material, as shown inFIG. 9. Such an arrangement would allow for a user to readily identify what items are located inside pocket member because of the see-through nature of mesh.

Eachpocket member200 may also include alabel area1000 on itsfront face216 that would allow a user to label eachpocket member200 such that its contents are known without looking inside, as shown inFIG. 10. A user can then either write directly on thelabel area1000 or attach a label to labelarea1000 to describe the pocket member's contents. Also, the label area can itself form a pocket into which a label or other flat material can be inserted. For example, in an embodiment wherein the pocket member is used to store puzzle pieces, an image of the completed puzzle (or a torn-off portion of the puzzle box which includes the completed puzzle image) may be inserted in the label pocket.

Pocket members

200 may also exhibit a plurality of colors on at least their front faces218, which can be used to color-code the contents of eachpocket member200.

Pocket members

200 can also be configured such that theirentire back face218 is formed from a Velcro fastener to allow thepocket member200 to be releasably attached topanel member100 via strip(s)104. Similarly, the front and back faces216 and218 of the pocket member can be formed from a Velcro fastener to allow any face of the pocket member to be releasably attached to the panel member strip(s).

Further still, a Velcro fastener can be disposed on thefront face216 ofpocket member200 such that pocketmember cover pattern1100, as shown inFIG. 11(a) (front view) and (b) (side view), can be releasably attached to the pocket member'sfront face216.FIG. 11(c) depicts apocket member200 with a pocket member cover pattern releasably attached thereto. Each pocket member cover pattern may include a decorative design on itsfront face1102 to allow users to customize their flexible organizer. On their back faces1104, pocketmember cover patterns1100 can include a Velcro fastener for releasable attachment with a Velcro fastener on thefront face216 ofpocket member200.

These pocket member cover patterns can be marketed and provided to customers in any of a variety of ways. For example, with reference toFIG. 12:

- A provider can provide a plurality of predefined pocket member cover patterns for selection by a customer (step1200). This can be accomplished in any of a number of ways. For example, a provider can maintain an inventory of pre-existing pocket member cover patterns with different patterns thereon. As another example, the provider can provide a plurality of available patterns for selection by the customer. In an exemplary embodiment, the provider can do this by maintaining a database of pattern images which can be accessed and browsed by customers to find a desired pattern. Upon selection of a desired pattern by the customer (corresponding to step1202 discussed below), the provider can then custom create the desired pocket member cover pattern (as part of step1204 below), for example by printing the desired pattern on a blank pocket member cover pattern. Optionally, some of the patterns depicted on the pocket member cover patterns can relate to or illustrate well-known media properties and likenesses (e.g., famous cartoon characters, TV shows, movies, etc.) which are licensed from their owners. In this way, a child's interest can be drawn to the organizer by associating the organizer with the favorite characters and shows of the child. Further still, as noted above, the pocket members are well-suited for storing puzzle pieces which are a common mess item for children. One potential result of using a pocket member to store puzzle pieces is that, in doing so, the box for the puzzle may be lost or thrown out. If so, the child would no longer have access to the image of the completed puzzle that is often on the puzzle box cover to aid in the assembly of the puzzle. To ameliorate this situation, the patterns that are depicted on the pocket member cover patterns may optionally be images of completed puzzles. In this manner, an image of the appropriate completed puzzle can be depicted on the front of the pocket member in which that puzzle's pieces are stored. Different puzzle manufacturers and distributors can be contacted to obtain licensing rights for depicting images of the completed puzzles as the patterns to be shown on the pocket member cover patterns. Furthermore, the patterns may include depictions of child names (stylized depictions or otherwise). Similarly, themes that are traditionally associated with boys (e.g., trucks, football, etc.) can be depicted on pocket member cover patterns as well as themes that are traditionally associated with girls (e.g., princesses, flowers, etc.), thereby further enhancing and customizing the attractiveness of the organizer to children.
- A provider will then receive a selection of a pocket member cover pattern from the customer (step1202, discussed in part above for an exemplary embodiment). This selection can be received as electronic input at a point-of-sale in a store, via a website, via a telephone call, etc.
- The provider can then provide the selected pocket member cover pattern to the customer (step1204, discussed in part above for an exemplary embodiment).
  As another example with respect toFIG. 13:
- A provider can receive input from a customer about a pocket member cover pattern desired by that customer (e.g., such input can be received as electronic input at a point-of-sale in a store, via a website, via a telephone call, etc.) (step1300). Such input can optionally include a photograph (preferably a digital photograph) provided by the customer or other design provided by the customer.
- A provider will then create a pocket member cover pattern from the received input (step1302). For example, the provider can print the desired pattern on a blank pocket member cover pattern (e.g., printing an image of the family dog on a blank pocket member cover pattern).
- A provider can then provide the created pocket member cover pattern to the customer (step1304).
  Thus, a customer can:
- Receive a desired pocket member cover pattern from the provider (steps1206 and1306); and
- Releasably attach the received pocket member cover pattern of his/her liking to the pocket member (steps1208 and1308).

It should also be noted that rather than customizing pocket member cover patterns for releasable attachment to pocket members, the pocket members themselves can optionally be customized. In such a scenario, a provider would essentially follow the same steps discussed above in connection withFIG. 12 or13, but do so in connection with pocket members rather than pocket member cover patterns to thereby provide a customized pocket member to a customer. In such a scenario, it will be appreciated that a pocket member cover pattern would not be needed for the pocket member. Thus, for an embodiment such at this, the pattern shown inFIG. 11(c) would be directly printed on thepocket member200 rather than releasably attached to thepocket member200 via the pocketmember cover pattern1100.

Furthermore, it should be appreciated that an owner of a panel member can purchase new pocket members (optionally including a pattern printed thereon as mentioned above) as needed to store and organize items. Not all pocket members need to be attached to the panel member at all times, as the pocket members themselves serve as excellent storage means, as explained above.

Also, as shown inFIGS. 14(a) and (b), thematerial102 can be configured such thatloops106 are not exposed during use. As shown inFIGS. 14(a) and (b),loops106 can be hidden behindmaterial102 whilepanel member100 hangs. Preferably,material102 is of a sufficient sturdiness such that it can coverloops106 whilepanel member100 is in a hanging position.

Further still, it should be noted that rather thanloops106,holes1500 can be placed inmaterial102 to provide forpanel member100's hanging, as shown inFIGS. 15(a) and (b). In one exemplary embodiment, such loops/holes can optionally be located along thevertical dimension108 to allow for hanging ofpanel member100 in the other direction (seeFIG. 15(a)). Moreover, such loops/holes can be optionally located along both thehorizontal dimension106 and thevertical dimension108 to allow for hanging ofpanel member100 in either direction (seeFIG. 15(b)). With respect to theFIG. 15(b) embodiment, it should be appreciated that the use of the strip patterns shown inFIGS. 4-7 would be particularly advantageous as those strip patterns would provide for arbitrary height placement of pocket members for both a vertical and horizontal hanging orientation for the panel member.

Moreover, as shown inFIG. 16, the panel member can also be hung from a suitable location by way ofstraps1600 which extend from a top and bottom portion of thematerial102. Preferably twostraps1600 which are relatively evenly spaced along the material edge are present on both the top and bottom portion of thematerial102. These straps preferably include a Velcro portion (or are composed entirely of Velcro) such that they can wrap around a door and attach to each other via the Velcro or connect to each other in a manner that effectively forms a loop on either or both ends of the panel member.

Furthermore, it should be noted that the panel member can optionally include a rubber backing to help provide stabilizing support, tension and friction when hanging the panel member. Similarly, straps1600 depicted inFIG. 16 can also utilize rubber supporting materials for similar purposes.

Further still, as shown inFIGS. 17(a) and (b), opposing

Velcro fasteners

1700 and1702 can be placed at opposite ends ofmaterial102 to allow forpanel member100 to be securely folded.

While the present invention has been described above in relation to its preferred embodiments, various modifications may be made thereto that still fall within the invention's scope. Such modifications to the invention will be recognizable upon review of the teachings herein. Accordingly, the full scope of the present invention is to be defined solely by the appended claims and their legal equivalents.