FIELD OF THE INVENTION This invention relates to multi-mode garment carriers. BACKGROUND TO THE INVENTION

A number of suit carriers are described in the prior art - see, for example:

US6,293,443; US6,431 ,418, W09,722,276, WO9,846,107, W09,818,371 , US5,480,076, US4,869,408, GB2,184,008, DE1 ,293,415, FR1 , 087,190, FR6,296,28, US1 , 476,555, JP2006,306,466; US5,154,329; JP5,61 1 ,3562. Further prior art can be found in GB2, 324,715A and US4, 655, 343. However none of the arrangements describing the above documents address the problem of work shower rooms not providing proper changing facilities.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION The invention is set out in the independent claims.

Thus according to the present invention there is provided a multimode, rollable garment carrier configurable for use in at least: i) a garment case mode in which said garment carrier is rolled up into a garment case configuration; and ii) a dressing station mode in which said garment carrier is unrolled to provide access to clothes within the garment carrier and to an accessory carrier such that said garment carrier functions as a dressing station; wherein said garment carrier comprises a rollable backing piece bearing, at a first end, a hanger support and, at a second, opposite end, a said accessory carrier, said accessory carrier comprising a case around which said backing piece rolls when said garment carrier is rolled up into the garment case configuration, said garment carrier further comprising a hook or fixing at said first end to enable said backing piece to be suspended; and wherein said backing piece is rollable, together with said one or more garments into said garment case configuration, said garment carrier further comprising fastener means to fasten said garment carrier in said rolled, garment case configuration. In some embodiments the garment case mode comprises a luggage mode; optionally in such embodiments the garment carrier may be provided with wheels to enable the carrier to be wheeled in the luggage mode. In other embodiments the garment case mode comprises a transportation or rucksack mode. The garment carrier may then further comprise shoulder straps. Thus in one embodiment we describe a multimode, reliable garment carrier configurable for use in at least: i) a rucksack mode in which said garment carrier is rolled up into a rucksack configuration; and ii) a dressing station mode in which said garment carrier is unrolled to provide access to clothes within the garment carrier and to an accessory carrier such that said garment carrier functions as a dressing station; wherein said garment carrier comprises a reliable backing piece bearing, at a first end, a hanger support and, at a second, opposite end, a said accessory carrier, said accessory carrier comprising a case around which said backing piece rolls when said garment carrier is rolled up into the rucksack configuration, said garment carrier further comprising a hook or fixing at said first end to enable said backing piece to be suspended from an edge; and wherein said backing piece is reliable, together with said one or more garments into said rucksack configuration, said garment carrier further comprising fastener means to fasten said garment carrier in said rolled, rucksack configuration; said garment carrier further comprising shoulder straps on an outer part of said garment carrier when in said rucksack configuration for rucksack-style carrying of said garment carrier.

The hook may be removeable or the hook function may be performed by a (preferably reinforced) hole in the backing piece. In embodiments the hook or fixing enables the garment carrier to be suspended from an edge (which here may include a rail or similar).

In some preferred embodiments the garment carrier is configured so that it can be rolled up substantially without projections, and with minimal creasing of the carried garments. Thus in embodiments the hanger support comprises a pillar extending in a perpendicular direction away from the backing piece (when the garment carrier is hanging in the dressing station mode), and preferably the garment carrier includes one or more hangers each with a hole in its neck, typically at the apex of the triangle of a triangular shaped hanger, the hole being sized to fit the pillar. In this way the garments are held securely within the device. Preferably two or more garment hangers are provided, and these are configured to mutually interlock, for example to 'click together'. Preferably the device has a third, wardrobe mode of use in which the hangers are removed and hang conventionally in a wardrobe. However to facilitate this additional mode preferably a garment hanger has a retractable hook so that, when rolled, the hook does not significantly interfere with the garment or garments lying in place within the garment carrier. In some preferred embodiments the case comprises a semi-rigid container, for example cloth stiffened by cardboard or plastic (not, for example, cloth, and not rigid plastic), and the backing piece rolls around this, for example between ½ or ¾ and 1 ¼ to 1 ½ times. Alternatively the case may have a rigid front face hinged to enable said first face to be folded outwards to provide a shelf when said garment carrier in said dressing station mode. In embodiments the rigid front face of the accessory carrier case is hinged at the bottom, for example by a strip of flexible material, and, in embodiments, a bottom face of the accessory carrier case is also made of rigid material. Fabricating the accessory carrier case at least partially of rigid material provides a firm surface of relatively large radius around which garments can be rolled, so minimising creasing. Thus In some preferred embodiments the rigid outer face of the accessory carrier case is curved or bowed, to further reduce the risk of creasing. In embodiments the accessory carrier case is configured such that it is wider at the bottom than at the top, and the rear face of the accessory carrier case is spaced away from the backing piece. This provides a recess, and additional length for a garment suspended at the first, hanger end of the garment carrier, again reducing the risk of creasing. Further preferably a portion of the backing piece is provided with an opening or recess arranged such that when the garment carrier is in the rolled, rucksack configuration the opening or recess is on an interior portion of the backing piece and is located adjacent the first end of the garment carrier to provide a recess for a collar of a garment such as a shirt or blouse. Thus in embodiments the recess is located substantially in line with a horizontal garment support member of a garment hanger in the garment carrier.

In preferred embodiments, again to reduce creasing, the backing piece comprises a set of transverse strips of material, some flexible some rigid. More particularly a front and bottom face of the accessory carrier case are rigid and preferably also a shoulder-strap face which bears the shoulder straps, and an adjacent face to this (one side of the rucksack in the rucksack mode). The other transverse strips of the backing piece may be flexible. In embodiments a waterproof cover or bag is provided for the garment carrier when in its garment case/rucksack mode. In another aspect the invention provides a multimode, rollable rectangular garment carrier configurable for use in at least: i) a luggage mode in which said garment carrier is rolled up into a luggage configuration; and ii) a dressing station mode in which said garment carrier is unrolled to provide access to clothes within the garment carrier and to an accessory carrier such that said garment carrier functions as a dressing station; wherein said garment carrier comprises a rollable impermeable backing piece and an inner lining connected together around their edges to form an enclosure into which clothes can be placed via a closable opening, bearing, at a first end, an hanger support internal to said enclosure and, at a second, opposite end, said accessory carrier, said accessory carrier comprising a volume around which said backing piece rolls when said garment carrier is rolled up into the luggage configuration, such that said accessory carrier is located in the inside of the roll, said garment carrier further comprising an external hook or fixing at said first end to enable said garment carrier to be suspended in the unrolled configuration; and wherein said garment carrier further comprising fastener means to fasten said garment carrier in said rolled, luggage configuration.

Preferably the inner lining includes two cylindrical formers mounted such that they are parallel and adjacent to the folds that occur when the garment carrier is rolled into the luggage configuration.

The garment carrier may include shoulder straps on an outer surface of the garment carrier when in the luggage configuration for rucksack-style carrying of the garment carrier. When in the luggage mode the ends of the roll formed by the garment carrier can be closed by flaps that are attached to the backing piece. Optionally, a ridged frame is attached to the first end of the backing piece, in the rucksack mode the shoulder straps are attached to a frame which is further attached to the backing piece such that a closable pocket is formed between the frame and the backing piece.

In embodiments the hanger support comprises a pillar extending in a perpendicular direction away from the backing piece when the garment carrier is in the dressing station mode. The garment carrier may further comprise one or more garment hangers, for example of generally triangular shape with a hole sized to fit the pillar at apex of the triangle. The garment carrier may be configurable for use in a wardrobe with a hanging rail in which one or more garments are suspended from one or more the garment hangers. Then the garment hanger may have a retractable hook for suspending the hanger in a wardrobe. Optionally the garment hangers are configured to mutually interlock.

Optionally access into the enclosure is provided by a single opening, around the perimeter and partially across the face of the lining. More particularly access into the garment enclosure may be provided by a novel opening configured partially around the perimeter and partially asymmetric across the face of the lining (as shown in the figures). This assists single-handed insertion and removal of the garments, and optionally enables a partial or full opening to swing internal lining across a vertical hinge axis when in the hanging mode.

In a further related aspect the invention provides a multimode, rollable garment carrier configurable for use in at least: i) a rucksack mode in which said garment carrier is rolled up into a rucksack configuration; and ii) a dressing station mode in which said garment carrier is unrolled to provide access to clothes within the garment carrier and to an accessory carrier such that said garment carrier functions as a dressing station; wherein said garment carrier comprises a rollable backing piece bearing, at a first end, a hanger support and, at a second, opposite end, a said accessory carrier, said accessory carrier comprising a case around which said backing piece rolls when said garment carrier is rolled up into the rucksack configuration, said garment carrier further comprising a hook or fixing at said first end to enable said backing piece to be suspended from an edge; and wherein said backing piece is rollable, together with said one or more garments into said rucksack configuration, said garment carrier further comprising fastener means to fasten said garment carrier in said rolled, rucksack configuration; said garment carrier further comprising shoulder straps on an outer part of said garment carrier when in said rucksack configuration for rucksack-style carrying of said garment carrier.

In embodiments the case has a semi-rigid container around which the backing piece rolls when the garment carrier is rolled up into the rucksack configuration. The case may have a rigid front face hinged to enable the first face to be folded outwards to provide a shelf when the garment carrier in the dressing station mode. The backing piece may comprise a set of transverse strips of material; the front face and a bottom face of the accessory carrier case, a shoulder-strap face of the garment carrier bearing the shoulder straps, and an adjacent face to the shoulder-strap face may comprise a rigid material, and others of the transverse strips of material comprise a flexible material.

In embodiments the hanger support comprises a pillar extending in a perpendicular direction away from the backing piece when the garment carrier is in the dressing station mode. Then the garment carrier may further comprise one or more garment hangers, wherein a the garment hanger has generally triangular shape with a hole sized to fit the pillar at apex of the triangle.

Optionally the garment carrier is further configurable for use in a wardrobe mode in which one or more garments are suspended from one or more garment hangers in a wardrobe. The garment carrier may then further comprise one or more of the garment hangers. The garment hanger may have a retractable hook for suspending the hanger in a the wardrobe. Embodiments comprise two or more the garment hangers which are configured to mutually interlock. The rigid front face of the accessory carrier may be hinged at the bottom when the garment carrier is in the dressing station mode. The rigid outer face of the accessory carrier may have a convex curve such that a garment rolls around the outer face when the garment carrier is in the rucksack mode. In embodiments a rear face of the accessory carrier case is spaced away from the backing piece to provide a recess for an end of a garment suspended at the first end of the garment carrier. In embodiments a portion of the backing piece is provided with an opening or recess such that when the garment carrier in the rolled configuration the opening on recess is an interior portion of the backing piece and adjacent the first end to provide a recess for a collar of a garment. Optionally the garment carrier may be provided with a waterproof cover to cover the garment carrier when in the rucksack mode.

Other aspects of the invention provide a multi-mode reliable garment carrier with any permutation of one or more of the above described features. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

Fig. 1 Garment Carrier in garment case mode used by a cyclist Fig. 2 Garment Carrier as dressing station mode hanged from shower door

Fig. 3 Garment carrier as dressing station mode (unfolded) without clothes and with open accessories carrier bag. Fig. 4 Garment Carrier rolled as rucksack (front view)

Fig. 5 Garment Carrier rolled as rucksack (back view)

Fig. 6 Garment Carrier rolled in garment case mode with semi open weatherproof cover (front view)

Fig. 7 Garment Carrier rolled in garment case mode with semi open weatherproof cover (front view) Fig. 8 Process for using invention. From left to right. A) Hangers are located with clothes (not shown) on the opened Garment Carrier. B) Garment Carrier is rolled upwards to secure clothes in position and avoid creases when transporting C) Rolled Garment Carrier. D) Weather proof cover is unfolded to cover the rolled Garment Carrier E) Garment Carrier in garment case mode.

Fig. 9 General views of folded Garment Carrier

Fig. 10 Hangers with protruded hook to use in wardrobe. Left hand hanger is intended for shirts and blouses. Right hand hanger incorporates a rail for trousers or skirts.

Fig. 1 1 Hangers with hidden hooks ready to fit into Garment Carrier support Fig. 12 Hangers fixed to Garment Carrier Fig. 13 Garment Carrier with flaps.

Fig. 14 Inner view of Garment Carrier. Fig. 15 Front view of Garment Carrier in garment case mode.

Fig. 16 Back view of Garment Carrier when in dressing station mode.

Fig. 17 Garment Carrier with partial-perimeter and asymmetric sleeve opening. Fig. 18 Side view of Garment Carrier with closable pocket. Fig. 19 Back view of Garment Carrier with a plurality of straps. Fig. 20 Front view of Garment Carrier with end flaps. Fig. 21 Back view of Garment Carrier with closable pocket.

Fig. 22 (a) to (e) Process of transforming the Garment Carrier, (a) Garment Carrier (with closable pocket) in garment case mode is hung via a hook, (b) Closable pocket is opened, (c) Garment Carrier is partially unrolled, (d) Garment Carrier is fully unrolled, (e) Garment Carrier in dressing station mode, with sleeve opening opened to reveal garments.

Fig. 23 (a) to (c) Garment Carrier in garment case mode.

Fig. 24 (a) to (b) Garment Carrier in garment case mode with a centreline hinge.

Fig. 25 (a) to (b) Garment Carrier in garment case mode with a telescopic handle.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

Figure 8 shows the garment carrier 1 in the loading mode 1 1 . The carrier hangs in a wardrobe from a rail. In this mode it can be quickly loaded with clothes which are pre loaded onto hangers 10 shown in figure 10. The hangers can operate as either regular hangers in a wardrobe or as hangers in the garment carrier. The hangers have their rail hooks 13 retracted as shown in figure 1 1 and are attached onto the garment hanger support 14 as shown in figure 12. Accessories such as wash bag, make up bag, shoes, towel, and underclothes are stores in the accessory bag 2 shown in figure 3. The bag is closed 12 and secured with one or more zip or Velcro fastener. Garment fixing straps 4 can be secured around more bulky clothes if necessary to keep them inside the carrier during rolling.

The carrier is constructed from alternating ridged but light weight and flexible sections as shown in figure 9. This allows the rucksack straps 9 shown in figure 5 to be attached to a ridged surface to spread the load from the straps when in use and to ensure the garment carrier maintains its shape. This is important because if the garment carrier distorts when in use the clothes contained in the carrier can becoming creased. The alternating ridged and flexible sections maintain the shape of the carrier and also act to make rolling the carrier to close it easy.

The carrier can then be rolled from the bottom to the top as shown in figure 8. The large radii created by the shape of the accessory bag minimises the bend radius seen by the clothes. This minimises creasing of the clothes. A recess 3 located above the accessory case shown in figure 3 is located in front of the collar when rolled and ensures the collar of the shirt is not crushed. Similar recess could also protect the jacket shoulders. When rolled the case is secured into the rolled state with one or more fasteners 28.

When in the rolled state a retractable handle is provided as shown in figure 8 so the pack can be lifted from the rail. A secondary weatherproof cover 8 is rolled for storage as shown in figure 7. This can now be deployed around the carrier as shown in figure 6 so it becomes fully weatherproof as shown in figure 5. The cover may include a light or reflective high visibility patterns 7. The carrier then can be worn as a conventional rucksack for travel, cycling, running or other travel method as shown in figure 1 . Once the user arrives at their destination the carrier can be hung up in a shower room as shown in figure 2. It can be opened and it then becomes a dressing workstation. The accessory carrier 2 can be opened and the user can shower and dress directly from the garment carrier. The travel clothes can replace the work clothes in the garment carrier. The carrier can then be rolled up and stored in the workplace. The opposite process can be used when returning home after work. Figures 13 to 22 show an alternative embodiment of the invention.

Figure 13 shows a garment carrier comprising flaps 15 which provide part of the closure system and optionally provide internal features for the storage of personal accessories, and external access to a feature containing a weatherproof cover. One or more cylindrical formers 16 may be optionally integrated or removable.

Figure 14 shows internal lining hinges 17 on a vertical axis when the garment carrier is in dressing station mode.

Figure 15 shows additional general pockets 18 on the outer surface of the garment sleeve. Compression straps 19 are also provided to assist with securing the luggage and compacting the luggage when required.

Figure 16 shows a back view of the garment carrier in garment dressing mode in which the front 20 and back 21 of the rucksack are configured to be positioned next to each other. Upon rolling, this configuration enables them to enclose the third section of the garment sleeve.

Figure 17 shows a front view of the garment carrier in dressing station mode. The garment carrier comprises a partial-perimeter and asymmetric sleeve opening 22, optimised for single handed access. Location features 23 assist easy folding and unfolding of the garment carrier and offer precise datums for rolling.

Figure 18 shows a garment carrier comprising a closable pocket 24, which is padded in preferred embodiments for storage of items such as personal laptops and electronic tablets. A detachable strap 25 bridges the front and back faces of the garment carrier to assist with ease of rolling and unrolling, in particular where a zip is used as a closure mechanism.

Figure 19 shows a plurality of straps 26 which assist with securing the garment carrier, particularly during vigorous exercise. Figure 20 shows a garment carrier with end flaps 27 and a fastener 28.

Figure 21 shows a garment carrier with a closable pocket 24. Figures 22 (a) to (e) show a process of transforming the garment carrier. The garment carrier comprising a closable pocket is hung in garment case mode via a hook 5 in Figure 22 (a); this pocket is shown as open in Figure 22 (b). Figure 22 (c) shows the garment carrier in a partially unrolled state, and is fully unrolled in Figure 22 (d). Figure 22 (e) shows the garment carrier in dressing station mode, with the sleeve opening opened to reveal the garments hanging within.

Figures 23 to 25 show an alternative embodiment of the invention.

Figures 23 (a) to (c) show a garment carrier in garment case mode, wherein the case 29 resembles a suitcase. The case 29 may be given traditional aesthetics, for example the appearance of a suitcase. However, opening the case reveals the garment carrier 1 within. The garment carrier 1 is optionally attached to the case lining 30 via a feature which hinges in parallel with the axis of the case opening. Figure 23 (c) shows the unrolled garment carrier 1 .

Figures 24 (a) to (b) show a garment carrier in garment case mode in which the case 31 is split and hinged on its centreline. Access to each half of the interior is provided through closable openings 32 in the surface of the case.

Figures 25 (a) to (b) show a garment carrier comprising a telescopic handle 33. A telescopic handle 33 may be used to provide a secondary function in the form of a self- supporting garment carrier handle. The garment carrier features, suitable hinge arrangement and closable opening features are integrated with the case to enable it to fold away and open out. At full extension, the telescopic handle provides a stable holding position for the garment carrier in dressing station mode, as shown in Figure 25 (b). No doubt many other effective alternatives will occur to the skilled person. It will be understood that the invention is not limited to the described embodiments and encompasses modifications apparent to those skilled in the art lying within the spirit and scope of the claims appended hereto.