Locker and method for uniform repair and replacement

Abstract

The locker for uniform repair and replacement has, disposed on its exterior surfaces, means for organizing and receiving paperwork for submitting and processing a uniform repair or replacement order. An article holder attached to the locker is adapted to retain an order formbook and completed order forms. A tag holder attached to the locker holds a supply of repair tags used to tag a uniform item for repair. A memo clip attached to the front surface of the locker is adapted to receive and retain paper notices from a uniform service company. The locker is provided by a uniform service company and located at a customer's premises. An order formbook is provided, and stored in the article holder, along with a catalog listing various services and products that may be ordered. A supply of repair tags is supplied and stored on the tag holder attached to the locker.

Description

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION [0001] 1. Field of the Invention [0002] The present invention relates to the rental uniform service industry and, more particularly, to a locker and method for uniform repair and replacement. [0003] 2. DESCRIPTION OF THE RELATED ART [0004] Many businesses require that their employees wear a uniform on the job. While in some cases employees are required to purchase and maintain their own uniform, some businesses prefer to utilize a uniform service, where uniforms are supplied and maintained by a uniform provider. Such a service typically includes laundry of the uniforms, providing a clean and fresh uniform on a scheduled basis and collecting the used and soiled uniforms for cleaning. [0005] In addition to cleaning of uniforms, normal wear and tear dictate that some repair work be performed from time to time, as uniforms are damaged in the ordinary course of their use. Examples of such damage include lost buttons, a broken or jammed zipper, torn seams or he...

AI Technical Summary

Benefits of technology

[0014] Given the visual prominence of the repair tags and order forms on the locker, it is easy for the employee to find and complete the necessary paperwork for a repair or replacement order. Further, the representative will readily recognize when additional tags, order forms, or other materials must be provided.

Problems solved by technology

In addition to cleaning of uniforms, normal wear and tear dictate that some repair work be performed from time to time, as uniforms are damaged in the ordinary course of their use.

Examples of such damage include lost buttons, a broken or jammed zipper, torn seams or hems, and more.

This presents a problem in that, often, a required order formbook, or repair tag, or the like, is misplaced, or left with a supervisor or contact person at the business.

The employee may be unable to find the proper paperwork to correctly submit a repair or replacement request.

If the request is improperly submitted, the uniform service company may be unable or unwilling to perform the requested service until additional, or corrected, information is provided.

Even if the employee finds and correctly completes the required paperwork, the paperwork is prone to misplacement.

The employee may not know how to correctly submit paperwork requesting the repair or replacement, or a damaged article may be mishandled by the uniform service company, such as by mixing an item marked for repair into a collection of uniform items submitted for ordinary cleaning.

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