U.S. patent application number 10/894580 was filed with the patent office on 2005-01-27 for invertible storage device.
Invention is credited to Dingman, Ronald A., Gold, Nancy, Spektor, Inna.
Application Number | 20050017002 10/894580 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 34079464 |
Filed Date | 2005-01-27 |
United States Patent
Application |
20050017002 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
Gold, Nancy ; et
al. |
January 27, 2005 |
Invertible storage device
Abstract
The claimed invention discloses a storage device capable of
rapid and substantially full inversion, permitting the rapid and
substantially complete removal of its contents. Such a storage
device is useful when its contents must be quickly removed,
including, for example, where the storage device contains equipment
useful to an emergency responder such as a police officer, a
firefighter, or a paramedic. Such a storage device is also useful
where its contents are otherwise difficult to remove, as where the
contents include liquids or many small objects, such as grains of
sand.
Inventors: |
Gold, Nancy; (Niskayuna,
NY) ; Spektor, Inna; (Niskayuna, NY) ;
Dingman, Ronald A.; (Schenectady, NY) |
Correspondence
Address: |
HOFFMAN WARNICK & D'ALESSANDRO, LLC
3 E-COMM SQUARE
ALBANY
NY
12207
|
Family ID: |
34079464 |
Appl. No.: |
10/894580 |
Filed: |
July 20, 2004 |
Related U.S. Patent Documents
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Application
Number |
Filing Date |
Patent Number |
|
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60488913 |
Jul 21, 2003 |
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Current U.S.
Class: |
220/9.1 |
Current CPC
Class: |
A45C 13/02 20130101 |
Class at
Publication: |
220/009.1 |
International
Class: |
B65D 030/10 |
Claims
What is claimed is:
1. A storage device comprising: an outer container forming an
exterior and an interior; an inner container, having a first
portion that is attached to the outer container and a second
portion that is disposed on the interior; and an exterior inversion
means that allows a user to invert the second portion of the inner
container to reside substantially on the exterior.
2. The storage device of claim 1, wherein the inversion means
comprises an elongate member attached to a surface of the inner
container.
3. The storage device of claim 2, further comprising a handle
residing at an exterior end of the elongate member.
4. The storage device of claim 1, further comprising a lid capable
of substantially covering an opening in the outer container.
5. The storage device of claim 4, further comprising an attachment
means for attaching a portion of the lid to a portion of the outer
container.
6. The storage device of claim 5, wherein the attachment means is
at least one of hooks-and-loops and snaps.
7. An apparatus comprising: means for carrying the apparatus; a
storage means comprising: an outer container forming an exterior
and an interior; and an inner container, having a first portion
that is attached to the outer container and a second portion that
is disposed in the interior; and an exterior inversion means that
allows a user to invert the second portion of the inner container
to reside substantially outside the outer container.
8. The apparatus of claim 7, wherein the inversion means is an
elongate member attached to a surface of the inner container.
9. The apparatus of claim 8, wherein the storage means further
comprises a handle residing at an exterior end of the elongate
member.
10. The apparatus of claim 7, wherein an opening in the outer
container of the storage means is configured to be oriented
horizontally.
11. The apparatus of claim 7, wherein an opening in the outer
container of the storage means faces downward.
12. The apparatus of claim 7, wherein the storage means is
non-fixedly attached to the apparatus.
13. The apparatus of claim 7, wherein the apparatus is selected
from a group consisting of an article of clothing and a carrying
apparatus.
14. The apparatus of claim 13, wherein the article of clothing is
selected from a group consisting of a vest, a jacket, a coat, a
shirt, and a pair of pants.
15. The apparatus of claim 13, wherein the carrying apparatus is
selected from a group consisting of a backpack, a book bag, a
handbag, a shoulder bag, a messenger bag, a duffle bag, a tote bag,
and a fanny pack.
16. A storage device comprising: a member having a first side and a
second side and an aperture therebetween; a container having a
first portion that is attached around the aperture on the first
side of the member and a second portion that is unattached to the
member; and an inversion means that allows a user from the second
side to invert the second portion of the container, moving it from
the first side of the member to the second side of the member.
17. The storage device of claim 16, wherein the inversion means
comprises an elongate member attached to a surface of the
container.
18. The storage device of claim 17, further comprising a handle
residing at an end of the elongate member opposite its point of
attachment to the surface of the container.
19. The storage device of claim 16, further comprising a lid
capable of substantially covering the aperture.
Description
CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS
[0001] The current application claims the benefit of co-pending
U.S. Provisional Application No. 60/488,913 filed Jul. 21, 2003,
which is hereby incorporated herein by reference.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
[0002] (1) Technical Field
[0003] The present invention relates generally to storage devices
and more particularly to a storage device capable of rapid and
substantially full inversion, thereby releasing its contents.
[0004] (2) Related Art
[0005] Pockets and pocket-like storage devices have long been used
as a method of transporting items. Generally, removal of the
contents of a pocket requires a user to place his or her hand into
the pocket, grasp the item or items, and remove the item or items
from the pocket.
[0006] In many circumstances, such a method of removal is
sufficient. However, an alternate method of removal is desirable
when (1) removal of the item or items must be done quickly, (2)
grasping an item or items would be difficult, and/or (3) complete
removal of an item or items would be difficult or time consuming.
Thus, a need exists for a storage device permitting the rapid and
complete removal of its contents.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
[0007] The claimed invention discloses a storage device capable of
rapid and substantially full inversion, permitting the rapid and
substantially complete removal of its contents. Such a storage
device is useful when its contents must be quickly removed,
including, for example, where the storage device contains equipment
useful to an emergency responder such as a police officer, a
firefighter, or a paramedic. Such a storage device is also useful
where its contents are otherwise difficult to remove, as where the
contents include liquids or many small objects.
[0008] In a first embodiment, the claimed invention discloses a
storage device comprising an outer container forming an exterior
and an interior, an inner container having a first portion that is
attached to the outer container and a second portion that is
disposed on the interior, and an exterior inversion means that
allows a user to invert the second portion of the inner container
to reside substantially on the exterior.
[0009] In a second embodiment, the claimed invention discloses an
apparatus comprising means for carrying the apparatus, a storage
means comprising an outer container forming an exterior and an
interior and an inner container having a first portion that is
attached to the outer container and a second portion that is
disposed in the interior, and an exterior inversion means that
allows a user to invert the second portion of the inner container
to reside substantially outside the outer container.
[0010] In a third embodiment, the claimed invention discloses a
storage device comprising a member having a first side and a second
side and an aperture between, a container having a first portion
that is attached around the aperture on the first side of the
member and a second portion that is unattached to the member, and
an inversion means that allows a user from the second side to
invert the second portion of the container, moving it from the
first side of the member to the second side of the member.
[0011] The foregoing and other features of the invention will be
apparent from the following more particular description of
embodiments of the invention.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0012] The embodiments of this invention will be described in
detail, with reference to the following figures, wherein like
designations denote like elements, and wherein:
[0013] FIG. 1 shows an inverted storage device according to a first
embodiment of the claimed invention.
[0014] FIG. 2 shows a closed storage device according to a second
embodiment of the claimed invention.
[0015] FIGS. 3A-3C show the various conformations of a third
embodiment of the claimed invention.
[0016] FIG. 4 shows a vest having two storage devices according to
a fourth embodiment of the claimed invention.
[0017] FIG. 5 shows a storage device according to a fifth
embodiment of the claimed invention.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION
[0018] Referring to FIG. 1, storage device 1 comprises outer
container 10, inner container 20, and inversion means 30. As
depicted, inversion means 30 is an elongate member attached at one
end to a surface of inner container 20. Preferably, where inversion
means 30 is an elongate member, inversion means 30 is configured to
extend beyond a surface of outer container 10 when inner container
20 is not inverted and residing within outer container 10.
Optionally, where inversion means 30 is an elongate member, a
handle 32 may be attached at or near an end opposite the end
attached to a surface of inner container 20.
[0019] A first portion of inner container 20 is attached to an
interior or exterior surface of outer container 10 while a second
portion of inner container 20 is disposed adjacent an interior
surface of outer container 20, such that the second portion of
inner container 20 may be inverted by means of inversion means 30
and made to substantially reside adjacent an exterior surface of
outer container 10, as shown in FIG. 1.
[0020] First portion of inner container 20 may be attached to a
portion of outer container 10 and inversion means 30 may be
attached to a portion of inner container 20 by any means known in
the art. In one embodiment, such attachments are of sufficient
strength as to permit inversion of inner container 20 without
detachment of inner container 20 from outer container 10 or
inversion means 30 from inner container 20. Suitable attachment
means include stitching and adhesives.
[0021] Outer container 10, inner container 20, and inversion means
30 may be of any materials known in the art, including cotton,
silk, wool, nylon, polyester, or rayon. In addition, outer
container 10, inner container 20, and/or inversion means 30 may be
of the same or different materials.
[0022] Handle 32 may be of any material known in the art, including
wood, plastic, ceramic, or metal. In one embodiment, handle 32 is a
rigid material. Where inversion means 30 is an elongate member, a
portion of which extends beyond an edge of outer container 10,
handle 32 preferably provides added weight to the elongate member,
so as to locate inversion means 30 in an area outside of outer
container 10 that is predictable by a user. For example, where
storage device 1 is configured to be oriented in a substantially
horizontal direction, handle 32 preferably provides sufficient
weight to an end of inversion means 30 that a portion of inversion
means 30 will normally be located below storage device 1. This
orientation is depicted most clearly in FIG. 3A. Optionally, handle
32 may be a loop, knot, or similar structure formed in elongate
member.
[0023] Referring to FIG. 2, storage device 100 is depicted in a
closed position, wherein inner container (not shown) resides
substantially within outer container 110. In one embodiment, a
portion of inversion means 130, again depicted as an elongate
member with handle 132, resides on the exterior of outer container
110.
[0024] In one embodiment, from its closed position, storage device
100 is preferably made to release its contents by a user grasping
and pulling a portion of inversion means 130 in a direction away
from the openings of outer container 110 and inner container. Upon
such action, storage device 100 adopts a conformation similar to
that depicted in FIG. 1, wherein inner container 20 is
substantially inverted to reside outside outer container 10.
[0025] In one embodiment, storage device 100 may contain a lid 112
and attachment means 114. Attachment means 114 may be of any kind
known in the art, including hooks-and-loops, snaps, etc., provided
that attachment means 114 do not prevent or substantially interfere
with inversion of inner container or the release of its contents.
Attachment means 114 may be located on lid 112, outer container
110, or both.
[0026] Referring to FIGS. 3A through 3C, storage device 200 is
depicted in the various conformations it will adopt in
transitioning from its closed position (FIG. 3A) to its inverted
position (FIG. 3C). As depicted in FIGS. 3A through 3C, storage
device 200 is oriented in a substantially horizontal direction, as
it may be oriented on an article of clothing or carrying means,
such as a backpack. Storage device 200 may similarly be oriented in
a substantially vertical direction, with an opening in outer
container 210 facing either upward or downward.
[0027] Referring now to FIG. 3A, storage device 200 again consists
of outer container 210, an inner container (not shown), and an
inversion means 230. As depicted, inversion means 230 consists of
an elongate member and handle 232, wherein a portion of elongate
member extends beyond an edge of outer container 210. As depicted,
storage device 200 further comprises a lid 212 and attachment means
214. Attachment means 214 attaches a portion of lid 212 to a
portion of outer container 210.
[0028] Referring now to FIG. 3B, upon applying a directional force
F upon inversion means 230, attachment means 214 is released from
at least one of lid 212 and outer container 210. As depicted,
attachment means 214 is released from outer container 210.
[0029] Referring now to FIG. 3C, upon continued application of
directional force F upon inversion means 230, inner container 220
is inverted from its position within outer container 210. Upon
inversion of inner container 220, its contents are moved to a
location outside both outer container 210 and inner container
220.
[0030] Referring to FIG. 4, a vest 300 is shown having two storage
devices 302,304 located on an outer surface of its left front side.
First storage device 302 is located on the left breast of vest 300
and is oriented with its opening facing downward. As depicted,
inner container 320 has been inverted to reside substantially
outside outer container 310. Inversion means 330 is shown as an
elongate member with optional handle 332.
[0031] Second storage device 304 is located on the left front of
vest 300 at approximately waist level and is oriented in a
horizontal direction with its opening facing medially. As depicted,
lid 312 covers the opening to outer container 310 and is attached
to outer container 310 by attachment means 314. Inversion means 330
is shown as an elongate member with optional handle 332, a portion
of elongate member extending beyond an edge of outer container
310.
[0032] Although depicted as a vest, any similar article of clothing
or carrying means could similarly be used, including a jacket,
coat, shirt, pair of pants, backpack, book bag, handbag, shoulder
bag, messenger bag, duffle bag, tote bag, or fanny pack. Where
storage device is located on an article of clothing or a carrying
means, it may be fixedly or non-fixedly attached. Methods of
attachment can be any known in the art, including stitching,
adhesives, zippers, buttons, snaps, ties, loops, hooks-and-loops,
or clips.
[0033] Referring to FIGS. 5A and 5B, storage device 400 comprises
container 420, inversion means 430, and a member 410 having a first
side 416, a second side 417, and an aperture 418 therebetween. As
such, the illustrative embodiment of the invention depicted in
FIGS. 5A and 5B is similar to the embodiments described above, with
the exception that member 410 need not be a container. That is,
member 410 need not be able to hold container 420. For example,
member 410 may be the material comprising the leg of a pair of
pants, vest, etc., wherein container 420 resides on one or the
other side of the leg material.
[0034] Referring to FIG. 5A, container 420 is attached around
aperture 418 on second side 417 of member 410. Inversion means 430
is shown as an elongate member attached to a surface of container
420 and extending beyond first side 416 of member 410. Optional
handle 432 is shown as a loop formed in inversion means 430.
Application of directional force F results in the substantial
inversion of container 420, as depicted in FIG. 5B. Once
substantially inverted, the portion of container 420 not attached
to second side 417 of member 410 resides adjacent to first side 416
of member 410.
[0035] While this invention has been described in conjunction with
the specific embodiments outlined above, it is evident that many
alternatives, modifications and variations will be apparent to
those skilled in the art. Accordingly, the embodiments of the
invention as set forth above are intended to be illustrative, not
limiting. Various changes may be made without departing from the
spirit and scope of the invention as defined in the following
claims.
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